States Most Likely to Legalize Weed This Year

At last year’s start, legislators in 13 states had recreational legalization under consideration. New Mexico, Connecticut, Virginia, New Jersey, and New York all took the plunge. Three already did it, the rest are doing it now, and Virginia intends opening its stores in 2024. More are following behind. Lawmakers everywhere are under pressure to legalize as political and public support gains momentum. 

As midterm elections inch closer toward November, legislators in all states are constructing laws to legalize cannabis delivery, or they are empowering their voters to pass these laws themselves. Almost all states are considering legalizing recreationally, some more seriously than others are. In fact, some are likely to legalize this year. Just who will be next? 

Maryland

Maryland began this year with confidence. Lawmakers were sure to pass a bill legalizing adult use, but the legislation did not make it. Despite this, all indications suggest approval this year. According to the Washington Post, Adrienne Jones vowed to give voters a referendum to decide the issue at this year’s ballot. 

The Democratic majority leader and Speaker of the House of Delegates also set up a legislative office to start creating regulated rules for legal industry. This before any approval even by voters. Goucher College did a survey in March 2021 that found Marylanders two-thirds in favor of full legalization. This included more Republican voters than Democrats, making the issue a likely candidate for success.

Missouri

Advocates for legalization are certain of approving a regulated market this very year in Missouri. Two groups are putting the ballot to voters, one aptly named Legal Missouri 2022. However, coronavirus slowed it. It was perhaps 2020 that saw the last coalition effort. Signatures were amassing and the support seemed victorious. Then, it all just stopped. 

Now, with strong fundraising and a powerful coalition, the campaign has a very strong likelihood of succeeding this year. According to the State of Missouri, the latest constitutional amendment received approval in October. Now the campaign is giving its every effort. The bill includes measures for home growing, cannabis delivery and equity, such as expunging old convictions for weed-related offenses. 

Ohio

Ohio has a difficult path to legalization, despite being the biggest state with any chance of it soon. According to the State of Ohio, its initiated statute process is very opaque. Even so, it is highly likely that it will find its way onto the November 2022 ballot. The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol has been collecting signatures since August, of which the bill requires at least 130 000. 

If they get it, the bill will go to legislature for voting. If lawmakers vote against it or fail to take decisive action, voters will likely want to see it presented at this year’s election. Experts across the state are optimistic about success. If it passes, which by all indications it likely would, then folks will be able to grow six plants and carry up to 2.5 ounces of weed on their person. It would also expunge past records. 

Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, activists want to expand sales of cannabis and manage it better. The state proposed a constitutional amendment that would legalize use for adults this year. Described as the Wild West of Weed, Oklahoma has been seeing record medical sales over the last three years. Almost 10 percent of its population has a medical recommendation for it. 

In its current form, the proposal will make it legal for anyone over 21 years of age to possess up to eight ounces of weed. They would not need medical approval. They will also be able to grow as many as 12 plants. In order to improve organization of the state’s very wide industry, the measure also proposes the establishment of a regulatory agency expressly for the purpose. 

Florida

After the state’s highest court twice blocked ballot initiatives this summer, advocates are trying again to put legalization in front of voters at the ballot box. Sensible Florida, the group currently leading this effort, believes confidently that the language on their ballot will prove successful. The previous rejections were due to misleading and conflicting language that made unclear possession limits. 

By dramatically narrowing the bill’s scope, the latest language manages to dodge these worries. The bill would legalize possession and cultivation by adults, but it will not establish a system for retail. Further, after lawmakers tightened contribution limits for campaigns in April, advocates face even more hurdles. These woes form part of a Republican effort to make weaker the initiative process for citizens. 

Pennsylvania

With weed markets thriving in neighboring New York and New Jersey, Pennsylvania’s advocates hope to benefit from the momentum. It introduced measures last year, one of which proposed a retail industry and home growing, while another omitted provisions for cultivation. Both measures focus heavily on equity and even have bipartisan sponsorship, a feat never before seen in the state. 

Increasingly, officials in high Pennsylvania society are supportive of legalization. Governor Tom Wolf, Attorney General Josh Shapiro, and Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman all made legalization a priority last year. They are long calling for prohibition’s end. Even so, if legalization will gain momentum in its Republican-controlled legislature remains uncertain. 

Arkansas

The coronavirus sapped efforts of Arkansas to legalize last year too. Activists Arkansas True Grass stopped gathering signatures as cases rose. They are at it now, and if they succeed in acquiring the 89 000 signatures needed, then voters will decide themselves if they want a legal market. The measure reforms criminal justice and the economy, while giving medical patients cultivation rights. 

Currently, medical producers fail to meet demand. Retail still fetches expensive prohibition prices. This bill promises a constitutional amendment to allow sales to adults. This includes anyone older than 21 years. They can also grow up to 12 plants and enjoy expungement of nonviolent cannabis convictions, most especially for those still serving time and those with now-redundant criminal records.

Marijuana Delivery Santa Monica

The cannabis industry in California is still establishing itself. However, it has been legal for some time already. Certainly, a simple Google search for “weed delivery near me” will give you many options. Our state leads the way. Cannabis delivery is the future of weed sales, and it seems increasingly likely that the federal government intends legalizing soon too.