The November 5 presidential election is just over three months away, and it promises to be a significant day for marijuana law reform. Three statewide marijuana legalization initiatives have been either officially certified for the ballot, or proponents have submitted enough signatures and are awaiting state verification, with two other states (Arkansas and Nebraska) considering medical marijuana measures.
With that said, below are the three states set to consider marijuana initiatives on November 5.
Florida
Amendment 3, officially on the November ballot in Florida, would legalize the possession, use, and licensed distribution of recreational marijuana. If passed, those 21 and older would be allowed to possess up to three ounces of dried marijuana flower and five grams of marijuana concentrates. These products would be available through licensed marijuana retailers and medical dispensaries with a dual license.
A University of North Florida poll released this week showed that 64% of likely voters support Amendment 3, exceeding the 60% needed for it to pass as a constitutional amendment. A recent Fox News poll also indicated strong support at 69%.
By mid-July, the campaign for Amendment 3, Smart & Safe Florida, had raised over $66 million, the highest amount for any statewide marijuana initiative in US history.
Measure 29 if officially on the November ballot in South Carolina. Sponsored by South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws, the proposal would legalize recreational marijuana for those 21 and older, allowing them to possess up to an ounce of marijuana and cultivate up to three marijuana plants at a private residence. The initiative would establish a system of licensed, regulated and taxed marijuana businesses.
South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws were also successful in getting marijuana legalization initiatives on the ballot in 2020 and 2022. In 2020, the measure passed approved by voters, but thrown out by the courts due to the state’s one-issue law for initiatives. The 2022 initiative was narrowly rejected amid lower voter turnout (it wasn’t a presidential election like in 2020).
Now, advocates hope that with updated language addressing the court’s concerns and the renewed attention of a presidential election, the initiative will be approved.
According to polling release last month, a plurality of voters in the state support legalizing marijuana, 45% to 42%.
The nonprofit organization New Economic Frontier submitted over 50% more than the required signatures to place their marijuana legalization measure on the November 2024 ballot.
The proposed initiative would allow those 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana, four grams of marijuana concentrates, and 1,500 milligrams of adult-use cannabinoid products (300 milligrams of which can be in the form of edible products). The initiative would also permit the personal cultivation of up to three marijuana plants and the purchase of marijuana and marijuana products through licensed marijuana stores.
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