These States Could be the Next to Legalize Cannabis

Cannabis legalization is happening regardless of the US federal government’s draconian stance on the subject. State lawmakers are starting to listen to the people’s will over the misguided statements of the feds. Despite cannabis remaining against the law on a federal level, many states have been allowing the sale, cultivation, and consumption of cannabis, with more states joining all the time. Suppose the United States federal government doesn’t do something about their outdated stance on cannabis legalization. In that case, they will find themselves standing against the nation they claim to support and be a part of. That doesn’t seem very smart, but then again, the US Government isn’t known for being the sharpest tools in the shed.

Despite their dull appearance, the tools can be sharpened and shined to restore their original glory. Only some will crumble and break as a result of the sands of time. With a tad of luck and the spread of knowledge about cannabis, these four states will see favorable cannabis reform laws become a reality this November.

Mississippi Could Legalize Medical Cannabis

Mississippi is on the verge of seeing legal access to medical cannabis. Should citizen petition Initiative 65 pass, qualifying patients with one of 22 qualifying conditions would have legal access to cannabis. Predictions also suggest that the state of Mississippi would stand to see revenue from medical cannabis sales reach the $750-$850 million mark as early as 2024.

Should Initiative 65 see success, medical cannabis products would be taxed at 7%, accounting for the multi-million-dollar prediction for the state. Initiative 65 isn’t alone when it comes to cannabis reform laws for Mississippi. A competing measure is pushing for reform that would allow the hands of those who have butchered it for decades (legislature) within the sector. This initiative also requires the market only to contain pharmaceutical quality cannabis (didn’t know that pharmacies were growing good quality), and it restricts smoking cannabis to the terminally ill. In the opinion of this writer, anyone with any concept of medical cannabis or anyone who can read, this measure is disappointing in comparison to Initiative 65.

Arizona Has its Sights on Recreational Cannabis

Arizona is set to try for recreational cannabis legalization again with Proposition 207. Currently, medical cannabis has seen great success cultivating strong business roots over the last four years across the state. Legalization has failed in the past, but this time it has the support of a robust medical cannabis business community. Early projections say the state could stand to see profits of $700-$760 million in as little as roughly three years. If passed, Proposition 207 would allow the legal possession and sale of up to one ounce of cannabis to anyone over the age of 21 who has a state-issued ID. Prop 207 would also include the expungement of certain cannabis crimes as well as social equity provisions. These would all be welcomed changes for many who call Arizona home.

South Dakota is Voting on a Medical Cannabis Program 

South Dakota will be voting on Measure 26 to legalize and create a medical cannabis program for those with qualifying conditions. Voters will also vote on Amendment A, which would legalize a retail cannabis market requiring state legislators to enact new cannabis laws if successful. If these laws were to come to fruition, the state of South Dakota could be looking at an extra income of around $29.3 million over the next three years.

Montana is Reforming its Cannabis Legalization Laws

Montana voters will have the chance to vote on two cannabis laws on this year’s ballot. One is Issue I-190. If passed, it would allow adults to buy, possess, and consume cannabis for recreational purposes. The initiative, CI-118, is the other question in front of voters. If passed, it makes the age for cannabis consumption 21 and up for adults with state-issued IDs. Montana isn’t playing around when it comes to taxes. If legalized, consumers would be looking at a 20% sales tax on retail cannabis purchases. Early predictions would place sales at around the $193 million mark as early as 2025.

New Jersey May Soon Go Recreational 

New Jersey currently has a medical cannabis program in place. Public Question No.1 will soon be voted on, and if passed, the state will see a legal recreational cannabis program implemented as well. Retail cannabis sales would receive a 6.625% tax rate, and the New Jersey Medical Cannabis Commission would oversee regulations. The retail market in the state of New Jersey could stand to be a sizable one producing figures estimated to be between $850-$950 million as early as 2024.

The American people have asked for cannabis legalization in the past. Back then, the government had more influence over the people. They could control the information and, therefore, could control the masses. In the information era of today, this is not an easy task. People have researched and learned of the lies, and many of them have had enough. Should these four states pass cannabis reform laws, that would only leave a small portion of Americans, such as those who live in Tennessee, living in a free country without the same freedoms as their neighbors. This is something that must change once and for all.