Election 2018 Cannabis Results

[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]F[/dropcap]our states voted on statewide cannabis referendums on Nov. 6—Michigan, Missouri, Utah and North Dakota. Voters in two states, Missouri and Utah, approved medical cannabis, and Michigan voters approved recreational cannabis. Here is a quick rundown of the changes that were made last night during the midterm elections:

Michigan

Michigan voters approved Proposal 1 with 56 percent voting in favor of the measure, effectively legalizing recreational cannabis sales in the state. Under the sweeping new set of rules, Michigan adult residents can legally grow up to 12 cannabis plants at home, possess 2.5 ounces in public and store 10 ounces at home. “Legalization of marijuana will end the unnecessary waste of law enforcement resources used to enforce the failed policy of prohibition while generating hundreds of millions of dollars each year for Michigan’s most important needs,” Coalition to Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol spokesperson Josh Hovey said in a press release. According to Michigan’s former elections director—this year’s midterm election yielded the highest midterm turnout by percentage in almost 50 years.

Missouri

Missouri’s Constitution has just been updated to allow medical cannabis for qualified patients in the state. On Nov. 6, Missouri Amendment 2, Medical Marijuana and Veterans Healthcare Services Initiative, passed by a 66 percent vote in favor, leaving only 34 percent of voters opposing the amendment.

Qualifying patients in the state will be able to receive a doctor’s recommendation to obtain a medical cannabis card. Contrary to many other medical cannabis programs, there are no specific conditions in which qualify a patient for cannabis. Instead, the decision is left up to the doctor’s recommendation. Patients will be able to start submitting applications for a medical cannabis recommendation by no later than June 4, 2019. Patients and their caregivers in Missouri will be able to cultivate up to six cannabis plants, or they can opt to purchase their own cannabis from a licensed dispensary, with a limit of four ounces of cannabis purchased within a one-month period.

Additionally, state regulators will distribute licenses for medical cannabis businesses including dispensaries, and facilities for cultivation, testing and manufacturing. Medical cannabis sales will face a four percent tax, which will be used toward healthcare services for veterans.

Two other cannabis-related measures on the state ballot, Amendment 3 and Proposition C, were defeated.

North Dakota

Voters in North Dakota did not pass cannabis legalization on Tuesday. Fifty-nine percent of voters were opposed to Measure 3, Marijuana Legalization and Automatic Expungement Initiative, which would have legalized recreational cannabis for adults ages 21 and over. Measure 3 sought to create a framework for cannabis businesses in the state, but it did not outline important information about cannabis legalization, like regulations and taxes. It did, however, create an “automatic expungement process” for individuals who have cannabis-related convictions. North Dakota has already passed medical cannabis legalization.

Ohio
Unlike some of the other states that voted on cannabis and related bills this year, Ohio voters were not yet ready to embrace change. Voters ended up rejecting State Issue 1, with 63.3 percent voting “no” and 36.6 percent voting “yes.” The bill would have reduced drug possession offenses and also would have made it more difficult to imprison those affected by such charges. The bill would have also applied any savings (gained from having less people in jail) to fund rehabilitation programs and crime victim funds. However, five cities (Dayton, Fremont, Norwood, Oregon and Windham) did end up vote to approve localized decriminalization measures.

Utah

Utah voters approved Proposition 2 with 53.15 percent voting in favor of the bill, legalizing medical cannabis and set up a regulatory scheme. This makes Utah the 32nd state to legalize medical cannabis. Unfortunately, the Utah legislature is planning on passing a restrictive model later this month which would prohibit the smokable forms of cannabis. That bill is being sold as a “compromise” bill, but some cannabis advocates aren’t convinced it will be suitable.  It would also ban home cultivation and set a cap on the number of dispensaries allowed statewide.

Wisconsin

Voters in 16 counties out of the 72 that make up Wisconsin made their voices heard by stating that they want to see an end to medical and/or recreational cannabis prohibition. The vote was presented via an advisory question, which means that no bill was proposed and no change will occur based on these results. Many of the questions were worded slightly more different from each other, and proposed scenarios of either medical cannabis, recreational cannabis, or both. With this overwhelming support for cannabis, legislators have gotten firsthand insight regarding what the people desire.