In just over two weeks, voters in five states—Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota—will make their voices heard on adult-use cannabis legalization. A constitutional amendment in Arkansas, Issue 4, would allow cannabis sales from state-licensed dispensaries to adults 21 and older—and the new market could generate more than $2 billion in sales over the next five years, as Digital Editor Eric Sandy reported this week. In Maryland, state lawmakers sent the issue to voters, 73% of whom support adult-use legalization, according to recent polling. The measure, appearing on the ballot as Question 4, would legalize the possession and purchase of cannabis for adults 21 and older, and lawmakers would be tasked with determining additional specific market parameters—including licensing and taxes. Read more on Maryland from Senior Editor Zach Mentz here. Missouri voters will decide on Amendment 3, a constitutional amendment that would allow adults 21 and older to possess, consume, purchase and cultivate cannabis in the Show-Me State. The measure would also provide automatic expungement, Associate Editor Tony Lange reported. In North Dakota: a chance at redemption. Initiated Statutory Measure No. 2 aims to launch a regulated, licensed adult-use industry and allow those 21 and older to purchase, possess and consume cannabis after a previous reform effort suffered a 20-point defeat in the 2018 election. Managing Editor Patrick Williams outlines more details here. Finally, voters in South Dakota will get a second chance to make their voices heard on adult-use cannabis legalization two years after they approved an adult-use measure in the 2020 election that was ultimately overturned by the state’s Supreme Court. Will voters approve adult-use legalization a second time? Despite a recent poll suggesting that support has waned in the past two years, Matthew Schweich, deputy director for both the Marijuana Policy Project and South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws, remains optimistic: “We’re confident we’re ahead, but that being said, it’s closer than we’re comfortable with and we need to make sure our supporters show up and vote on Election Day,” Schweich told me. “Turnout is going to be a huge factor here." -Melissa Schiller, Senior Digital Editor |