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Missouri and Maryland voters on Nov. 8 adopted ballot measures allowing adult-use marijuana, boosting the number of states where recreational weed is legal for those over 21.
Midterm voters in Arkansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota, meanwhile, rejected proposals to legalize recreational marijuana use by those 21-and-over, marking what is believed to be the first time such legalization measures were denied in statewide ballot referendums.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), adult use of marijuana is now legal in 19 states. There are 37 states with legal medical marijuana programs, the NCSL documents.
New Hampshire became the 19th state to legalize marijuana when lawmakers adopted a 2022 bill allowing cannabis use by adults. With the Nov. 8 ballot measure votes on the books, Maryland and Missouri become the 20th and 21st states to do so.
There was never much doubt that Maryland’s legalization proposal, “Question 4,” placed on the ballot by state lawmakers, would pass; how Missouri’s proposed “Amendment 3” would fare was uncertain.
With 82 percent of 1.473 million ballots cast, 65.6 percent said “Yes” to Maryland’s “Question 4,” which states: “The possession and use of cannabis would become legal for people 21 and older starting in July 2023.”
When the law goes into effect on July 1 next year, the purchase and possession of up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis will be legal for adults 21 and older.
Under the measure, adults are allowed to grow up to two plants for personal use and can gift cannabis legally.
Missouri’s Constitutional “Amendment 3,” asking voters to say “yes” or “no” to the statement, “The possession and use of marijuana would become legal for people 21 and older,” was approved by 53.
