The 2022 midterm elections will decide the fate of marijuana legalization measures in five states. Currently, 19 American states have legalized recreational marijuana for adult use. These states comprise about 44% of the U.S. population. If approved by voters the addition of the new states will bring that number to approximately half of the U.S. population living in an area where marijuana is legal for adult use.
The States
The states in question are Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota.
Bipartisan Support
The issue of legalizing marijuana across the country has largely enjoyed bipartisan support. According to NORML (a marijuana advocacy group) Deputy Director Paul Armentano, “Voters’ support for repealing cannabis criminalization crosses party lines. That is why, historically, these ballot initiative efforts have been equally successful at the ballot box in both ‘red’ states and in ‘blue’ states. We anticipate similar outcomes this November.”
With an additional five states in the legalized marijuana column, it is likely a matter of time for other states to follow suit.
