South Dakota Supreme Court rules against pot legalization
3 years, 3 months ago

South Dakota Supreme Court rules against pot legalization

Associated Press  

— The South Dakota Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a lower court’s ruling that nullified a voter-passed amendment to the state constitution that would have legalized recreational marijuana use. The high court sided with those arguments in a 4-1 decision, ruling that the measure — Amendment A — would have violated the state’s requirement that constitutional amendments deal with just one subject. “We do things right — and how we do things — matters just as much as what we are doing.” The state Supreme Court’s decision upheld a circuit judge’s ruling in February. Matthew Schweich, the campaign director for South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws, called the ruling “extremely flawed” and reliant on “a disrespectful assumption that South Dakota voters were intellectually incapable of understanding the initiative.” In the high court’s majority opinion, Jensen argued that the multiple subjects of the constitutional amendment — recreational marijuana, medical marijuana and hemp — risked forcing a choice on voters who supported legalizing one, but not the others.

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History of this topic

Nebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Nebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana

Associated Press  

— Three weeks after Nebraska voters overwhelmingly approved medical marijuana the state moved a step closer to allowing it Tuesday when a judge ruled that the petitions that put the question on the ballot were valid. The decision by Lancaster County District Judge Susan Strong was a victory for advocates of medical marijuana, but opponents are likely to appeal it …

Trio of ballot failures leads marijuana backers to refocus their efforts for recreational weed
4 months, 1 week ago

Trio of ballot failures leads marijuana backers to refocus their efforts for recreational weed

Associated Press  

The movement to legalize recreational marijuana has run into a wall of resistance, failing in all three states where it was on the ballot this year and leading proponents to weigh a tactical shift focused more on state legislatures and the federal government. It’s “going to be a potentially tougher hill to climb going forward to enact legalization in the …

South Dakota to Decide on Abortion Rights and Recreational Marijuana
4 months, 1 week ago

South Dakota to Decide on Abortion Rights and Recreational Marijuana

Associated Press  

South Dakota will hold a vote on Tuesday to decide whether to protect abortion rights and legalize recreational marijuana. The abortion rights measure would amend the state constitution to bar restrictions on terminating a pregnancy during its first 12 weeks. The recreational marijuana measure would legalize recreational use for those 21 and older, with up to 2 ounces in a …

Voters could make recreational cannabis legal in more than half of U.S. states
4 months, 1 week ago

Voters could make recreational cannabis legal in more than half of U.S. states

NPR  

Voters could make recreational cannabis legal in more than half of U.S. states toggle caption Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images Three more states are voting today on whether to legalize the recreational use of cannabis — and if more than one of the measures passes, it would mean a majority of U.S. states have recreational marijuana laws on the books. …

Florida rejects marijuana legalization measure, other states still pending
4 months, 1 week ago

Florida rejects marijuana legalization measure, other states still pending

Salon  

On Nov. 5, voters in four red states will cast their ballots for legalizing cannabis and marijuana, the extracts from the plant. “It’s certainly not crazy to think you might see some other very conservative Southern states follow along, if Florida adopts it.” North Dakota: Measure 5 In North Dakota, advocates are hoping the third time's a charm in legalizing …

Could America’s divide on marijuana be coming to an end?
6 months ago

Could America’s divide on marijuana be coming to an end?

Associated Press  

The U.S. is divided when it comes to state and federal marijuana policy, but recent political developments could move the country toward a greater acceptance of cannabis. Both major presidential candidates have signaled support for a federal policy change to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, and voters in several additional states will get a say this fall on …

Medical Marijuana Legalization In Nebraska May Appear On November Ballot
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Medical Marijuana Legalization In Nebraska May Appear On November Ballot

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING OMAHA, Neb. — A group seeking to legalize marijuana for medical use in Nebraska has gathered enough signatures to get the issue before voters in November, the state’s top election official said Friday. Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana announced earlier this year that it had gathered about 114,000 signatures — well more than the approximately 86,000 needed — …

Measures to legalize medical marijuana in Nebraska can appear on November ballot, official says
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Measures to legalize medical marijuana in Nebraska can appear on November ballot, official says

Associated Press  

— A group seeking to legalize marijuana for medical use in Nebraska has gathered enough signatures to get the issue before voters in November, the state’s top election official said Friday. Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana announced earlier this year that it had gathered about 114,000 signatures — well more than the approximately 86,000 needed — for each of two petitions: …

North Dakota voters to weigh in again on marijuana legalization
7 months ago

North Dakota voters to weigh in again on marijuana legalization

Associated Press  

BISMARCK, N.D. — A ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana in North Dakota has qualified for the November election, the state’s top election official said Monday. North Dakota voters approved medical marijuana in 2016 but rejected recreational initiatives in 2018 and 2022. “The people of North Dakota soundly rejected the idea of recreational marijuana in 2018 and 2022, but here …

South Dakota anti-abortion group appeals ruling that dismissed its lawsuit over ballot initiative
7 months, 3 weeks ago

South Dakota anti-abortion group appeals ruling that dismissed its lawsuit over ballot initiative

Associated Press  

— An anti-abortion group in South Dakota has appealed to the state’s Supreme Court after a judge dismissed its lawsuit to take an abortion rights initiative off the November ballot. In a statement, Life Defense Fund Co-Chair Leslee Unruh said the group has asked for an expedited order from the court “because there are absolutely no legal grounds for this …

Ruling keeps abortion question on ballot in South Dakota
8 months ago

Ruling keeps abortion question on ballot in South Dakota

Associated Press  

A state court judge’s ruling Monday keeps an abortion-rights question on the November ballot in South Dakota. “This is another failed effort by a small group opposed to giving women the option to terminate pregnancies caused by rape and incest or to address dangerous pregnancies affecting the life and health of women.” Republican Rep. Jon Hansen, who is a co-chair …

Group files petitions to put recreational marijuana on North Dakota’s November ballot
8 months, 1 week ago

Group files petitions to put recreational marijuana on North Dakota’s November ballot

Live Mint  

BISMARCK, N.D. — Organizers of a ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana in North Dakota submitted petition signatures on Monday, likely setting up another statewide vote on the issue that voters and state lawmakers have previously defeated. The 20-page statutory measure would legalize recreational marijuana for people 21 and older to use at their homes and, if permitted, on others’ …

Group files petitions to put recreational marijuana on North Dakota’s November ballot
8 months, 1 week ago

Group files petitions to put recreational marijuana on North Dakota’s November ballot

Associated Press  

BISMARCK, N.D. — Organizers of a ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana in North Dakota submitted petition signatures on Monday, likely setting up another statewide vote on the issue that voters and state lawmakers have previously defeated. The 20-page statutory measure would legalize recreational marijuana for people 21 and older to use at their homes and, if permitted, on others’ …

Group files petitions to put recreational marijuana on North Dakota's November ballot
8 months, 1 week ago

Group files petitions to put recreational marijuana on North Dakota's November ballot

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Organizers of a ballot initiative …

3rd try at approving recreational marijuana in South Dakota makes the ballot
9 months, 1 week ago

3rd try at approving recreational marijuana in South Dakota makes the ballot

Associated Press  

South Dakota voters will decide again whether to legalize recreational marijuana, an issue with a frustrating history for backers of the ballot initiative in the conservative state. Opponent Jim Kinyon, chairperson of Protecting South Dakota Kids, said the state’s voters already had a say on the issue and rejected recreational marijuana back in 2022. “How many times does the state …

Recreational marijuana backers try to overcome rocky history in South Dakota
10 months, 1 week ago

Recreational marijuana backers try to overcome rocky history in South Dakota

Associated Press  

Advocates of legalizing recreational marijuana in South Dakota, a mission with a rocky history, submitted thousands of signatures to election officials on Tuesday in the hopes of once again getting the issue on the conservative state’s November ballot. Twenty-four states have legalized recreational marijuana, including as recently as November 2023 in Ohio, but “no state has as interesting or rocky …

As the US moves to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, could more states legalize it?
10 months, 1 week ago

As the US moves to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, could more states legalize it?

Associated Press  

As the U.S. government moves toward reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug, there may be little immediate impact in the dozen states that have not already legalized cannabis for widespread medical or recreational use by adults. Following two previous failed attempts, a Nebraska group is gathering signatures to get two measures onto this year’s ballot: one to legalize medical …

Recreational marijuana backers can gather signatures for North Dakota ballot initiative
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Recreational marijuana backers can gather signatures for North Dakota ballot initiative

Associated Press  

BISMARCK, N.D. — A North Dakota ballot initiative group can gather signatures to put a proposal legalizing recreational marijuana to a statewide vote in the fall, the state’s top election official said Thursday, in the latest legalization effort in the conservative state. “We spend too many resources, we spend too much money, we criminalize behavior that’s more benign than alcohol …

US' Ohio votes to legalise marijuana for adult recreational use
1 year, 4 months ago

US' Ohio votes to legalise marijuana for adult recreational use

Hindustan Times  

Ohio voters approved a proposal legalizing recreational marijuana on Tuesday, defying Republican legislative leaders who had failed to pass the proposed law. Passage of Issue 2 makes Ohio the 24th state to allow adult cannabis use for non-medical purposes. Opponents also raised concerns about the tax structure, which earmarks none of the earnings for Ohio counties that administer social services …

Ohio votes to legalize marijuana for adult recreational use, becoming 24th state to do so
1 year, 4 months ago

Ohio votes to legalize marijuana for adult recreational use, becoming 24th state to do so

Associated Press  

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio voters approved a measure legalizing recreational marijuana on Tuesday, defying Republican legislative leaders who had failed to pass the proposed law. Among concerns raised by opponents that lawmakers may revisit is the measure’s tax structure, which earmarks none of the earnings for Ohio counties that administer social services programs directed at drug use, addiction and other …

Minnesota lights up! Lawmakers make the land of 10,000 lakes 23rd state to legalize ‘recreational marijuana’
1 year, 9 months ago

Minnesota lights up! Lawmakers make the land of 10,000 lakes 23rd state to legalize ‘recreational marijuana’

Hindustan Times  

In a groundbreaking move, Minnesota has joined the ranks of states embracing the legalization of recreational marijuana. Senators in the state passed a bill over the weekend, making Minnesota the 23rd state to allow adults over the age of 21 to partake in the use of cannabis for recreational purposes. House and Senate cannabis bill authors Rep. Zack Stephenson and …

New Hampshire governor offers path to legalize marijuana
1 year, 10 months ago

New Hampshire governor offers path to legalize marijuana

Associated Press  

CONCORD, N.H. — A day after New Hampshire legislators rejected the latest attempt to legalize recreational marijuana in the state, Gov. “In the past, I said now is not the time to legalize marijuana in New Hampshire,” Sununu said in a statement. Sununu said that this path “helps to keep substances away from kids by ensuring the state of New …

New Hampshire Senate rejects marijuana legalization bill, leaving state an outlier in New England
1 year, 10 months ago

New Hampshire Senate rejects marijuana legalization bill, leaving state an outlier in New England

Associated Press  

CONCORD, N.H. — The New Hampshire Senate rejected a marijuana legalization bill Thursday, leaving it the only state in New England that makes smoking pot recreationally a crime. Republican Senate President Jeb Bradley said the time isn’t right to legalize marijuana, as the state combats a drug addiction and overdose crisis. House Democratic Leader Matt Wilhelm said the push to …

What’s next for marijuana legalization after Oklahoma vote?
2 years ago

What’s next for marijuana legalization after Oklahoma vote?

Associated Press  

In just over a decade since voters approved state constitutional amendments to make recreational marijuana legal in Colorado and Washington, 19 other states have followed suit. But voters in Oklahoma, where faith leaders, law enforcement and most of the state’s GOP leaders campaigned against legalization, on Tuesday rejected a ballot measure that would have legalized it. Kevin Stitt and much …

Minnesota lawmakers start down path to legalizing marijuana
2 years, 2 months ago

Minnesota lawmakers start down path to legalizing marijuana

Associated Press  

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Legislature embarked on a path toward legalizing recreational marijuana for adults Wednesday when a legislative committee held the first hearing of the year on a bill that backers say is designed to avoid the pitfalls experienced by states that have already legalized it. “Minnesotans deserve the freedom and respect to make responsible decisions about …

After election, marijuana advocates look to next states
2 years, 4 months ago

After election, marijuana advocates look to next states

Associated Press  

— Law-abiding marijuana enthusiasts could find themselves in a bit of a predicament following voter approval of a recreational cannabis initiative in Missouri. Maryland residents will have to wait even longer — until the middle of next year — before a recreational marijuana measure approved this past week can take effect. After Democratic victories in last week’s legislative and gubernatorial …

Voters approve recreational marijuana in Maryland, Missouri
2 years, 4 months ago

Voters approve recreational marijuana in Maryland, Missouri

Associated Press  

— Voters approved recreational marijuana in Maryland and Missouri but rejected it in three other states, signaling support gradually growing for legalization even in conservative parts of the country. “State-level legalization victories are what’s necessary to move the needle forward at the federal level.” The state voting follows moves by President Joe Biden toward decriminalizing marijuana. “Now they know that …

Voters approve recreational marijuana in Maryland, Missouri
2 years, 4 months ago

Voters approve recreational marijuana in Maryland, Missouri

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Voters approved recreational marijuana in Maryland and Missouri but rejected …

Voters approve recreational marijuana in Maryland, Missouri
2 years, 4 months ago

Voters approve recreational marijuana in Maryland, Missouri

Associated Press  

— Voters approved recreational marijuana in Maryland and Missouri but rejected it in two other states, signaling support gradually growing for legalization even in conservative parts of the country. “State-level legalization victories are what’s necessary to move the needle forward at the federal level.” The state voting follows moves by President Joe Biden toward decriminalizing marijuana. “It’s pretty clear North …

N Dakota, Arkansas reject legal marijuana, Maryland approves
2 years, 4 months ago

N Dakota, Arkansas reject legal marijuana, Maryland approves

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. North Dakota's proposal would have allowed people 21 and older to legally use marijuana …

Marijuana legalization on the ballot in these states: Here’s what voters decided
2 years, 4 months ago

Marijuana legalization on the ballot in these states: Here’s what voters decided

CNN  

Washington CNN — Ballot measures to legalize recreational marijuana use will fail in three states and pass in two, CNN projects, as momentum has grown nationwide to push for lifting penalties once associated with cannabis. Here’s what voters decided in Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota on Tuesday: Arkansas Arkansas voters on Tuesday will reject a constitutional amendment …

Midterm: Which states put cannabis on the ballot in 2022?
2 years, 4 months ago

Midterm: Which states put cannabis on the ballot in 2022?

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Recreational marijuana could be legal in half the country if …

US midterms: Legalising marijuana on the ballot in five states
2 years, 4 months ago

US midterms: Legalising marijuana on the ballot in five states

Al Jazeera  

Voters in Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North and South Dakota deciding whether to OK recreational marijuana measures. Voters in five US states are deciding on election day whether to approve recreational cannabis, a move that could signal a major shift towards legalisation in even the most conservative parts of the country. The initiative has drawn the criticism of traditional legalisation opponents …

EXPLAINED: Which US States Put Marijuana On The Ballot in 2022?
2 years, 4 months ago

EXPLAINED: Which US States Put Marijuana On The Ballot in 2022?

News 18  

Recreational marijuana could be legal in half the country if the handful of states with cannabis measures on ballots this November pass them. Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota have measures on their ballots this fall for voters to consider legalizing recreational marijuana. The Arkansas Supreme Court cleared the way in September for voters to consider whether people …

EXPLAINER: Which states put marijuana on the ballot in 2022?
2 years, 4 months ago

EXPLAINER: Which states put marijuana on the ballot in 2022?

Associated Press  

Recreational marijuana could be legal in half the country if the handful of states with cannabis measures on ballots this November pass them. Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota have measures on their ballots this fall for voters to consider legalizing recreational marijuana. — The Arkansas Supreme Court cleared the way in September for voters to consider whether …

Will South Dakota OK pot again after 1st measure reversed?
2 years, 4 months ago

Will South Dakota OK pot again after 1st measure reversed?

Associated Press  

— When it comes to marijuana, South Dakota has been a leader among its Great Plains neighbors: one of the first to legalize recreational use, the first to approve both medical and recreational forms on the same ballot and the only one to have its recreational measure reversed. In South Dakota, Schweich’s campaign is using the messages that won over …

Oklahoma court: Weed question won’t make November ballot
2 years, 5 months ago

Oklahoma court: Weed question won’t make November ballot

Associated Press  

OKLAHOMA CITY — A proposed state question on whether to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in Oklahoma won’t appear on the November ballot, the state Supreme Court ruled Wednesday, dealing a blow to Democrats who hoped the question would energize liberal voters. The high court rejected a request by supporters of State Question 820 to require the State Election …

Lawsuit on recreational pot in Missouri nears end
2 years, 6 months ago

Lawsuit on recreational pot in Missouri nears end

Associated Press  

— Lawyers for a Missouri woman suing to block a recreational marijuana ballot measure panned the top state election official’s involvement and claimed the proposal is unconstitutionally broad during Thursday court arguments. This year the Secretary of State’s Office also reviewed signatures following complaints from the pro-recreational-marijuana campaign, Legal Missouri 2022, that some voters were wrongly discounted as unregistered by …

Split appeals panel rejects Nebraska marijuana injunction
2 years, 6 months ago

Split appeals panel rejects Nebraska marijuana injunction

Associated Press  

— The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday rejected a request to temporarily block part of Nebraska’s ballot initiative petition process sought by a group trying to legalize medical marijuana in the state. Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana and the American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska sued, arguing that the requirement violates free speech and equal protection rights by …

What’s different about 2022 ND marijuana vote? Money
2 years, 6 months ago

What’s different about 2022 ND marijuana vote? Money

Associated Press  

BISMARCK, N.D. — The main group working to legalize recreational marijuana in North Dakota has more than a half-million dollars to press its case, far more than the mostly shoe-leather effort they relied on four years ago. The North Dakota Petroleum Council will not contribute to fight the pot legalization effort that will appear on the November general election ballot, …

Nebraska medical marijuana effort falls short on signatures
2 years, 6 months ago

Nebraska medical marijuana effort falls short on signatures

Associated Press  

— Proposals to legalize medical marijuana in Nebraska will not appear on the November general election ballot after the efforts failed to collect enough signatures, the state’s top elections official said Monday. Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen said in a news release that the Medical Cannabis Patient Protections Initiative and the Medical Cannabis Regulation Initiative failed to meet signature …

Missouri voters set to weigh in on recreational marijuana
2 years, 7 months ago

Missouri voters set to weigh in on recreational marijuana

Associated Press  

— A campaign to legalize recreational marijuana in Missouri gathered enough signatures to make it on the November ballot, Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft announced Tuesday. Efforts to allow recreational marijuana use have failed to pass Missouri’s Republican-led Legislature for years, prompting advocates to go to voters for approval instead. Local NAACP chapters, the American Civil Liberties Union of …

Recreational pot validated for ballot in South Dakota
2 years, 9 months ago

Recreational pot validated for ballot in South Dakota

Associated Press  

— South Dakota voters are set to vote again on whether they want recreational marijuana legalized for adults after the secretary of state on Wednesday validated the initiated measure for the November ballot. Secretary of State Steve Barnett announced that a random sample of petition signatures showed that South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws, the group campaigning to legalize pot, …

SD pot legalization campaign submits signatures for ballot
2 years, 10 months ago

SD pot legalization campaign submits signatures for ballot

Associated Press  

— Advocates for legalizing recreational marijuana in South Dakota on Tuesday submitted petition signatures to the secretary of state, saying they were confident they had collected enough to place the initiative on the November ballot. South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws, the organization that launched the campaign, has scrambled in recent days to gather the nearly 17,000 signatures of registered …

North Dakota OKs marijuana legalization petition format
2 years, 10 months ago

North Dakota OKs marijuana legalization petition format

Associated Press  

BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota Secretary of State Al Jaeger has approved the formatting of a petition for a proposed ballot measure to legalize recreational marijuana in the state. The sponsoring committee behind the petition must obtain 15,582 valid signatures by July 11 for the measure to be placed on November’s ballot. If supporters miss that deadline but obtain the …

South Dakota lawmakers pass limit on homegrown medical pot
3 years ago

South Dakota lawmakers pass limit on homegrown medical pot

Associated Press  

— South Dakota lawmakers on Wednesday passed a proposal place a four-cap limit on the number cannabis plants that medical marijuana patients can grow in their homes. The Republican-controlled House and Senate have debated for weeks what limits to place on the number of cannabis plants that may be grown in homes after a voter-passed law placed no limit on …

South Dakota House committee rejects recreational pot bill
3 years ago

South Dakota House committee rejects recreational pot bill

Associated Press  

— South Dakota House Republicans on Monday dismissed a proposal to legalize recreational pot for adults, in a major blow to a bill that aimed to honor the will of voters. South Dakota voters passed a constitutional amendment in November 2020 to legalize recreational pot, medical marijuana and hemp. Senate Bill 3, which emerged from a legislative committee that studied …

House revives bill striking defense for medical pot
3 years ago

House revives bill striking defense for medical pot

Associated Press  

— South Dakota House Republican lawmakers on Thursday revived a bill to rid the state’s medical marijuana law of a provision that allows patients with debilitating medical conditions to avoid criminal charges for pot possession if they have not obtained a marijuana identification card. The bill is one among dozens of changes lawmakers are considering to the state’s medical marijuana …

South Dakota Senate passes bill to legalize recreational pot
3 years ago

South Dakota Senate passes bill to legalize recreational pot

Associated Press  

— The South Dakota Senate on Wednesday passed a proposal to legalize recreational marijuana, as Republicans reasoned they should jump ahead of a campaign to legalize it on the November ballot. They have been prodded by voters, who approved by 54% a 2020 constitutional amendment, known as Amendment A, to legalize recreational pot, medical marijuana and hemp. “This bill is …

South Dakota pot legalization bill cleared for Senate vote
3 years ago

South Dakota pot legalization bill cleared for Senate vote

Associated Press  

— A bipartisan proposal to legalize recreational marijuana in South Dakota survived its first test in the Legislature on Thursday as a Senate committee recommended the proposal for a vote in the full chamber next week. “At this stage of the game, it’s just not going to happen,” Republican Sen. Gary Cammack said at a news conference earlier Thursday, arguing …

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