Marijuana laws and ballot measures in the United States

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Voting on Marijuana
Marijuana Leaf-smaller.gif
Ballot Measures
By state
By year
Not on ballot

As of July 2024, 24 states and Washington, D.C., had legalized the possession and personal use of marijuana for recreational purposes, and 38 states and D.C. had legalized marijuana for medical purposes.[1][2][3]

HIGHLIGHTS
  • Ohio became the 24th state to legalize marijuana on November 7, 2023, when voters approved Issue 2.
  • Minnesota became the 23rd state to legalize recreational marijuana after Gov. Tim Walz (D) signed legislation on May 30, 2023.
  • Oklahoma voters rejected a marijuana legalization initiative on March 7, 2023.
  • Delaware became the 22nd state to legalize recreational marijuana after Gov. John Carney (D) allowed House Bill 2 to become law without his signature on April 26, 2023.[4]
  • On Nov. 8, 2022, measures to legalize marijuana were on the ballot in Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Voters in Maryland and Missouri approved the measures, and voters in Arkansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota rejected the measures.


    • See the sections below for further information on the following topics:

    1. Marijuana laws by state
    2. Noteworthy events since 2022
    3. Upcoming marijuana ballot measures
    4. Marijuana laws enacted by statewide ballot measures
    5. Comparison of ballot measures to legalize recreational marijuana
    6. Political context of ballot measures to legalize recreational marijuana
    7. Marijuana ballot measures since 1972


    Marijuana laws by state

    Recreational marijuana by state

    As of August 2024, 24 states and Washington, D.C., had legalized the possession and personal use of marijuana for recreational purposes.[1][5][6][7]

    • In 13 states and D.C., the ballot initiative process was used to legalize marijuana.
    • In two states, the legislature referred a measure to the ballot for voter approval.
    • In nine states, bills to legalize marijuana were enacted into law.


    The following table provides information about when and how recreational marijuana became legal.

    Timeline and process of recreational marijuana legalization
    State Year legalized Process used Votes on ballot measures
    For Against
    Colorado 2012 Initiative 55.32% 44.68%
    Washington 2012 Initiative 55.70% 44.30%
    Alaska 2014 Initiative 53.23% 46.77%
    Oregon 2014 Initiative 56.11% 43.89%
    Washington, D.C. 2014 Initiative 70.06% 29.94%
    California 2016 Initiative 57.13% 42.87%
    Maine 2016 Initiative 50.26% 49.74%
    Massachusetts 2016 Initiative 53.66% 46.34%
    Nevada 2016 Initiative 54.47% 45.53%
    Michigan 2018 Initiative 55.89% 44.11%
    Vermont 2018 Legislation K.A. K.A.
    Illinois 2019 Legislation K.A. K.A.
    Arizona 2020 Initiative 60.03% 39.97%
    Montana 2020 Initiative 56.90% 43.10%
    New Jersey 2020 Referral 67.08% 32.92%
    New York 2021 Legislation K.A. K.A.
    Virginia 2021 Legislation K.A. K.A.
    New Mexico 2021 Legislation K.A. K.A.
    Connecticut 2021 Legislation K.A. K.A.
    Rhode Island 2022 Legislation K.A. K.A.
    Maryland 2022 Referral 67.20% 32.80%
    Missouri 2022 Initiative 53.10% 46.90%
    Delaware 2023 Legislation K.A. K.A.
    Minnesota 2023 Legislation K.A. K.A.
    Ohio 2023 Initiative 57.19% 42.81%


    Medical marijuana by state

    As of July 2024, medical marijuana was legal in 38 states and the District of Columbia. Twelve states (shaded grey in the map below) did not provide for a medical marijuana program.[1]

    • Of the 38 states, 18 states established medical marijuana through the ballot initiative process.
    • In 20 states, medical marijuana programs were established through legislation.


    Noteworthy events

    Below is a list of events related to marijuana legalization. Events are listed in reverse chronological order. Do you know of something else that should be included here? Email us at [email protected].

    • May 29, 2024: Delaware Governor John Carney (D) signed House Bill 285 into law, which expanded medical marijuana access by allowing physicians to recommend medical marijuana to patients who would benefit from its use, regardless of whether or not the patient has a specific qualifying condition.[8]
    • November 8, 2023: Ohio became the 24th state to legalize recreational marijuana through voter approval of Issue 2, a citizen initiative.
    • May 30, 2023: Minnesota became the 23rd state to legalize recreational marijuana after Gov. Tim Walz (D) signed legislation on May 30, 2023.[9]
    • April 26, 2023: Delaware became the 22nd state to legalize recreational marijuana after Gov. John Carney (D) allowed House Bill 1 and 2 to become law without his signature. House Bill 1 ended criminal penalties for adult use and possession of certain small quantities of marijuana. House Bill 2 legalized recreational marijuana and provided for regulations.[10]
    • March 31, 2023: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) signed a medical marijuana bill, which was written to take effect on January 1, 2025.[11]
    • November 9, 2022: Marijuana legalization measures were on the 2022 ballot in Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The measures were approved in Maryland and Missouri and were defeated in Arkansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
    • May 25, 2022: Rhode Island became the 19th state to legalize recreational marijuana after Governor Dan McKee (D) signed House Bill 7593, the Rhode Island Cannabis Act, into law on May 25, 2022.[12]
    • May 24, 2022: Delaware Gov. John Carney (D) vetoed a bill that was designed to legalize possession of up to one ounce of marijuana for personal use. The Delaware State Legislature passed House Bill 371 by a 26-14 vote in the House and 13-7 vote in the Senate.[13]
    • February 2, 2022: Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) signed a medical marijuana bill (Senate Bill 2095) after a voter-approved initiative to legalize medical marijuana was overturned by the state supreme court in 2021.[14]

    Upcoming and recent marijuana ballot measures

    Voting on Marijuana
    Marijuana Leaf-smaller.gif
    Ballot Measures
    By state
    By year
    Not on ballot

    2024

    2023

    StateYearBallot MeasureTypStatusYes VotesNo Votes
    Oklahoma2023Oklahoma State Question 820Initiated state statuteDefeated 217,078 (38%)349,284 (62%)
    Ohio2023Ohio Issue 2Indirect initiated state statuteApproved 2,226,399 (57%)1,666,316 (43%)

    2022

    Below is a list of the marijuana legalization measures that appeared on the ballot in 2022. Two were approved and three were defeated.

    StateYearBallot MeasureTypStatusYes VotesNo Votes
    Maryland2022Maryland Question 4Legislatively referred constitutional amendmentApproved 1,302,161 (67%)635,572 (33%)
    Missouri2022Missouri Amendment 3Initiated constitutional amendmentApproved 1,092,432 (53%)965,020 (47%)
    South Dakota2022South Dakota Initiated Measure 27Initiated state statuteDefeated 163,584 (47%)183,879 (53%)
    Arkansas2022Arkansas Issue 4Initiated constitutional amendmentDefeated 392,938 (44%)505,128 (56%)
    North Dakota2022North Dakota Statutory Measure 2Initiated state statuteDefeated 107,608 (45%)131,192 (55%)

    Marijuana laws enacted by statewide ballot measures

    The following table provides information on states that have legalized recreational marijuana or medical marijuana through state ballot measures.

    State Year Measure Yes No Origin Typ
    Alaska 1998 Measure 8 58.67% 41.33% Initiative Medical
    Nevada 1998 Question 9 58.65% 41.35% Initiative Medical
    Oregon 1998 Measure 67 54.60% 45.40% Initiative Medical
    Washington 1998 Initiative 692 58.97% 41.03% Initiative Medical
    Maine 1999 Question 2 61.41% 38.59% Initiative Medical
    Colorado 2000 Initiative 20 53.78% 46.22% Initiative Medical
    Nevada 2000 Question 9 65.38% 34.62% Initiative Medical
    Montana 2004 I-148 61.81% 38.19% Initiative Medical
    Michigan 2008 Proposal 1 62.66% 37.34% Initiative Medical
    Maine 2009 Question 5 58.87% 41.13% Initiative Medical
    Arkansas 2016 Issue 6 53.11% 46.89% Initiative Medical
    Montana 2016 I-182 57.87% 42.13% Initiative Medical
    North Dakota 2016 Measure 5 63.79% 36.21% Initiative Medical
    Missouri 2018 Amendment 2 65.59% 34.41% Initiative Medical
    Oklahoma 2018 State Question 788 56.86% 43.14% Initiative Medical
    Utah 2018 Proposition 2 52.75% 47.25% Initiative Medical
    Mississippi 2020 Ballot Measure 1 68.52% 31.48% Initiative Medical
    South Dakota 2020 Initiated Measure 26 69.92% 30.08% Initiative Medical
    Colorado 2012 Initiative 64 55.32% 45.68% Initiative Recreational
    Washington 2012 Initiative 502 55.70% 44.30% Initiative Recreational
    Washington, D.C. 2014 Initiative 71 70.06% 29.94% Initiative Recreational
    Alaska 2014 Ballot Measure 2 53.23% 46.77% Initiative Recreational
    California 2016 Proposition 64 57.13% 42.87% Initiative Recreational
    Massachusetts 2016 Question 4 53.66% 46.34% Initiative Recreational
    Maine 2016 Question 1 50.26% 49.74% Initiative Recreational
    Nevada 2016 Question 2 54.47% 45.53% Initiative Recreational
    Michigan 2018 Proposal 1 55.89% 44.11% Initiative Recreational
    Arizona 2020 Proposition 207 60.03% 39.97% Initiative Recreational
    Montana 2020 CI-118 57.84% 42.16% Initiative Recreational
    Montana 2020 I-190 56.90% 43.10% Initiative Recreational
    New Jersey 2020 Public Question 1 67.08% 32.92% Referral Recreational
    Maryland 2022 Question 4 67.20% 32.80% Referral Recreational
    Missouri 2022 Amendment 3 53.10% 46.90% Initiative Recreational
    Ohio 2023 Issue 2 57.19% 42.81% Initiative Recreational

    Comparison of ballot measures to legalize recreational marijuana

    The following table compares a selection of ballot measure provisions, such as possession limits, local control, taxes, and revenue dedications.

    Click "Show" to expand the table.

    Political context of recreational marijuana ballot measures

    The following table summarizes the political context surrounding recreational marijuana ballot measures, including whether the state's presidential voting history in the preceding three elections was Democratic, mixed, or Republican.

    • Among states with Democratic presidential voting histories, eight marijuana legalization ballot measures were approved and one was defeated.
    • Among states with Republican presidential voting histories, four marijuana legalization ballot measures were approved and six were defeated.
    • Among states with mixed presidential voting histories, three marijuana legalization ballot measures were approved and one was defeated.

    Partisan control of the 15 states approving marijuana legalization measures was Democratic in four states, divided in five states, and Republican in six states. Partisan control of the eight states rejecting marijuana legalization measures was Democratic in one state, mixed in one state, and Republican in six states.

    Click "Show" to expand the table.

    List of all marijuana ballot measures since 1972

    The following table lists marijuana-related ballot measures since 1972.

    State Year Measure Outcome Yes No Origin Topic
    California 1972 Proposition 19 Defeatedd 33.47% 66.53% Initiative Recreational
    Georgien 1980 Amendment 9 Approveda 64.88% 35.12% Referral Other
    Oregon 1986 Ballot Measure 5 Defeatedd 26.33% 73.67% Initiative Recreational
    Alaska 1990 Measure 2 Approveda 54.29% 45.71% Initiative Other
    Arizona 1996 Proposition 200 Approveda 65.41% 34.59% Initiative Other
    Washington 1997 Initiative 685 Defeatedd 39.57% 60.43% Initiative Other
    Alaska 1998 Measure 8 Approveda 58.67% 41.33% Initiative Medical
    Arizona 1998 Proposition 301 Approveda 53.54% 46.46% Initiative Other
    Nevada 1998 Question 9 Approveda 58.65% 41.35% Initiative Medical
    Oregon 1998 Measure 67 Approveda 54.60% 45.40% Initiative Medical
    Washington 1998 Initiative 692 Approveda 58.97% 41.03% Initiative Medical
    Arizona 1998 Proposition 300 Defeatedd 36.12% 63.88% Initiative Medical
    Oregon 1998 Measure 57 Defeatedd 33.54% 66.46% Initiative Other
    Maine 1999 Question 2 Approveda 61.41% 38.59% Initiative Medical
    California 2000 Proposition 36 Approveda 60.86% 39.14% Initiative Other
    Colorado 2000 Initiative 20 Approveda 53.78% 46.22% Initiative Medical
    Nevada 2000 Question 9 Approveda 65.38% 34.62% Initiative Medical
    Alaska 2000 Measure 5 Defeatedd 40.88% 59.12% Initiative Other
    Arizona 2002 Proposition 203 Defeatedd 42.65% 57.35% Initiative Recreational
    Nevada 2002 Question 9 Defeatedd 39.13% 60.87% Initiative Other
    South Dakota 2002 Initiative 1 Defeatedd 37.97% 62.03% Initiative Other
    Montana 2004 I-148 Approveda 61.81% 38.19% Initiative Medical
    Alaska 2004 Measure 2 Defeatedd 44.25% 55.75% Initiative Recreational
    Oregon 2004 Measure 33 Defeatedd 42.78% 57.22% Initiative Medical
    Colorado 2006 Initiative 44 Defeatedd 41.08% 58.92% Initiative Other
    Nevada 2006 Question 7 Defeatedd 44.08% 55.92% Initiative Recreational
    South Dakota 2006 Initiative 4 Defeatedd 47.70% 52.30% Initiative Medical
    Massachusetts 2008 Question 2 Approveda 65.25% 34.75% Initiative Other
    Michigan 2008 Proposal 1 Approveda 62.66% 37.34% Initiative Medical
    California 2008 Proposition 5 Defeatedd 40.52% 59.48% Initiative Other
    Maine 2009 Question 5 Approveda 58.87% 41.13% Initiative Medical
    California 2010 Proposition 19 Defeatedd 46.54% 53.46% Initiative Recreational
    Arizona 2010 Proposition 203 Approveda 50.1% 49.9% Initiative Medical
    Oregon 2010 Measure 74 Defeatedd 44.21% 55.79% Initiative Medical
    Montana 2012 IR-124 Approveda 57.25% 42.75% Initiative Medical
    Washington 2012 Initiative 502 Approveda 55.7% 44.3% Initiative Recreational
    Massachusetts 2012 Question 3 Approveda 63.3% 36.7% Initiative Medical
    Oregon 2012 Measure 80 Defeatedd 46.58% 53.42% Initiative Other
    Arkansas 2012 Issue 5 Defeatedd 48.56% 51.44% Initiative Medical
    Colorado 2012 Amendment 64 Approveda 55.32% 44.68% Initiative Recreational
    Colorado 2013 Proposition AA Approveda 65.27% 34.73% Referral Other
    Alaska 2014 Ballot Measure 2 Approveda 53.23% 46.77% Initiative Recreational
    Florida 2014 Amendment 2 Defeatedd 57.62% 42.38% Initiative Medical
    Washington 2014 Advisory Vote No. 8 Approveda 54.41% 45.59% Referral Other
    Oregon 2014 Measure 91 Approveda 56.11% 43.89% Initiative Recreational
    Colorado 2015 Proposition BB Approveda 69.39% 30.61% Referral Other
    Washington 2015 Advisory Vote No. 11 Approveda 41.27% 58.73% Referral Medical
    Ohio 2015 Issue 3 Defeatedd 36.35% 63.65% Initiative Recreational
    Arkansas 2016 Issue 6 Approveda 53.11% 46.89% Initiative Medical
    California 2016 Proposition 64 Approveda 57.13% 42.87% Initiative Recreational
    Massachusetts 2016 Question 4 Approveda 53.66% 46.34% Initiative Recreational
    Montana 2016 I-182 Approveda 57.87% 42.13% Initiative Medical
    Nevada 2016 Question 2 Approveda 54.47% 45.53% Initiative Recreational
    North Dakota 2016 Initiated Measure 5 Approveda 63.79% 36.21% Initiative Medical
    Arizona 2016 Proposition 205 Defeatedd 48.68% 51.32% Initiative Recreational
    Maine 2016 Question 1 Approveda 50.26% 49.74% Initiative Recreational
    Florida 2016 Amendment 2 Approveda 71.32% 28.68% Initiative Medical
    Colorado 2018 Amendment X Approveda 60.64% 39.36% Referral Other
    Michigan 2018 Proposal 1 Approveda 55.89% 44.11% Initiative Recreational
    Missouri 2018 Amendment 2 Approveda 65.59% 34.41% Initiative Medical
    Oklahoma 2018 State Question 788 Approveda 56.86% 43.14% Initiative Medical
    Utah 2018 Proposition 2 Approveda 52.75% 47.25% Initiative Medical
    Missouri 2018 Amendment 3 Defeatedd 31.50% 68.50% Initiative Medical
    Missouri 2018 Proposition C Defeatedd 43.57% 56.43% Initiative Medical
    North Dakota 2018 Measure 3 Defeatedd 40.55% 59.45% Initiative Recreational
    Arizona 2020 Proposition 207 Approveda 60.03% 39.97% Initiative Recreational
    Mississippi 2020 Ballot Measure 1 Approveda/Overturnedot 68.52% 31.48% Initiative Medical
    Montana 2020 CI-118 Approveda 57.84% 42.16% Initiative Other
    Montana 2020 I-190 Approveda 56.90% 43.10% Initiative Recreational
    New Jersey 2020 Public Question 1 Approveda 67.08% 32.92% Referral Recreational
    South Dakota 2020 Initiated Measure 26 Approveda 69.92% 30.08% Initiative Medical
    South Dakota 2020 Amendment A Approveda/Overturnedot 54.18% 45.82% Initiative Recreational
    Arkansas 2022 Issue 4 Defeatedd 43.75% 56.25% Initiative Recreational
    Maryland 2022 Question 4 Approveda 67.20% 32.80% Referral Recreational
    Missouri 2022 Amendment 3 Approveda 53.10% 46.90% Initiative Recreational
    North Dakota 2022 Measure 2 Defeatedd 45.06% 54.94% Initiative Recreational
    South Dakota 2022 Measure 27 Defeatedd 47.08% 52.92% Initiative Recreational
    Oklahoma 2023 State Question 820 Defeatedd 38.33% 61.67% Initiative Recreational
    Ohio 2023 Issue 2 Approveda 57.19% 42.81% Initiative Recreational

    News feed

    Recent news

    The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Marijuana legalization ballot. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

    Marijuana laws and ballot measures in the United States - Google News

    See also

    Footnotes

    1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Medical Cannabis Laws," accessed June 11, 2022
    2. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Cannabis Overview," accessed June 11, 2022
    3. ↑ This number does not include South Dakota, where voters approved a marijuana legalization initiative in 2020 that was later struck down by the state's supreme court
    4. ↑ MJ Biz Daily, "Delaware governor to let recreational cannabis legalization bills become law," accessed May 30, 2023
    5. ↑ Smart Approaches to Marijuana, "MJ Laws Map," accessed June 15, 2022
    6. ↑ Marijuana Policy Project, "Map of state marijuana laws," accessed June 15, 2022
    7. ↑ This number does not include South Dakota, where voters approved a marijuana legalization initiative in 2020 that was later struck down by the state's supreme court
    8. ↑ NORML, "Delaware: Governor Signs Medical Cannabis Expansion Bill Into Law," accessed May 31, 2024
    9. ↑ MJ Biz Daily, "Minnesota governor signs adult-use marijuana legalization bill into law," accessed May 30, 2023
    10. ↑ MJ Biz Daily, "Delaware governor to let recreational cannabis legalization bills become law," accessed May 30, 2023
    11. ↑ Kentucky Governor, "Gov. Beshear Signs Historic Legislation Legalizing Medical Cannabis," March 31, 2023
    12. ↑ NORML, "Rhode Island Becomes 19th State to Legalize Marijuana for Adults," accessed June 16, 2022
    13. ↑ U.S. News, "Delaware Gov. John Carney Vetoes Marijuana Legalization Bill," accessed June 16, 2022
    14. ↑ Mississippi State Legislature, "Senate Bill 2095," accessed June 16, 2022
    15. ↑ Prior three elections before and/or including the election at which measure was voted on
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