Blog Layout
2020 Cannabis Legalization Ballot Measures
Last Updated on September 14, 2020
Some states extended their deadlines for signature submission, while others allowed signatures to be collected online. Legalization campaigns in Missouri, North Dakota, Arkansas, and Florida were unable to gather enough signatures to qualify their measures for the November ballot. Fortunately, the following states have succeeded in getting measures on the ballot, submitted signatures for verification, or are still actively collecting signatures.
Arizona
- Measure: Initiative 23, Smart and Safe Arizona Act
- Program Type: Adult-Use
- Status: Officially Qualified for November Ballot
- Highlights:
- Legalizes the sale, possession, and consumption of one ounce of cannabis for adults at least 21 years old
- 5 grams of the allotted ounce can be cannabis concentrates
- Two-Thirds of the state’s voters support the measure
- Criminal record expungement for low-level cannabis offenses
- For more information visit the Smart & Safe Arizona website
Mississippi
- Measure: Initiative 65
- Program Type: Medical
- Status: Officially Qualified for November Ballot
- Highlights:
- This initiative was created and submitted by citizens
- Allows patients with a doctor certification to access up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis per 14-day time period
- Qualifying conditions include chronic or debilitating pain, PTSD, and more
- Measure: HC 39, Alternative 65A
- Program Type: Medical
- Status: Officially Qualified for November Ballot
- Highlights:
- This alternative ballot measure was introduced and approved by the Mississippi state legislature
- Does not specific qualifying conditions, possession limits, or a tax rate
- Leaves the details of the program up to the state legislature
- Likely to be much more restrictive than Initiative 65
Montana
- Measure: Statutory Initiative 190, Montana Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act
- Program Type: Adult-Use
- Status: Officially Qualified for November Ballot
- Highlights:
- Would legalize, regulate, and tax adult-use cannabis in Montana
- Taxes for non-medical marijuana would be 20%
- Measure: Constitutional Initiative 118
- Program Type: Adult-Use
- Status: Officially Qualified for November Ballot
- Highlights
- Amendment to the state constitution to allow the legislature or people via ballot initiative to establish the legal age for purchasing, consuming, or possessing marijuana
Nebraska
- Measure: Nebraska Medical Cannabis Constitutional Amendment
- Program Type: Medical
- Status: Removed from the November Ballot in Nebraska Supreme Court Decision
- Highlights
- Would allow qualified patients with approval from a licensed physician or nurse practitioner to access medical marijuana and “discreetly” grow marijuana for therapeutic use
- Authorizes the state government to develop laws, rules, and regulations for the program
New Jersey
- Measure: The New Jersey Marijuana Legalization Amendment
- Program Type: Adult-Use
- Status: Officially Qualified for November Ballot
- Highlights
- Legalizes adult-use cannabis for individuals age 21 and older
- Allows for regulated cultivation, processing, and sale of retail cannabis
- The constitutional amendment would take effect on January 1, 2021
- New Jersey would be the first state in the Mid-Atlantic to legalize adult-use marijuana
South Dakota
- Measure: Initiated Measure 26
- Program Type: Medical
- Status: Officially Qualified for November Ballot
- Highlights
- Qualified patients with doctor certification would be allowed to possess a maximum of three ounces of medical marijuana
- Limits on the amount of cannabis products a person may possess would be set by the Department of Health
- Patients registered to cultivate marijuana at home could grow three plants at minimum, or another amount as prescribed by a physician
- Qualifying conditions include severe, debilitating pain
- Measure: Constitutional Amendment A
- Program Type: Adult-Use
- Status: Officially Qualified for November Ballot
- Highlights
- Would legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana for individuals age 21 and older
- Requires the Legislature to pass laws regarding hemp as well as laws ensuring access to marijuana for medical use
- Individuals would be allowed to possess or distribute up to one ounce of marijuana
- Marijuana sales would be taxed at 15%
With legalization likely in several new markets in Q4, remember it's never too early to educate yourself about the specifics of these impending programs. We recommend that you begin to develop your business plans and articulation. 3C offers scalable service packages from hourly strategy sessions to comprehensive cannabis guidance, business planning, and content development to prepare for licensure and scalability. Once applications are released, you'll need to navigate many specific regulatory requirements. Having the bulk of your business plan prepared gives you more time to develop a robust application.
Contact us today to schedule an exploratory consultation.
Share
Recommended Articles
This guide highlights all 3C Consulting has learned on helping clients to develop, licence, and grow legal cannabis businesses globally.
Lack of compliance for companies makes investment due diligence risky. This cannabis due diligence checklist supports success for your business.
Despite challenges, the cannabis industry is still growing stronger than ever. Learn how to secure limited cannabis business licenses amid COVID-19 hardships.
