Nearly half of the United States currently has access to medical or recreational marijuana. This November that number will increase and the following 5 states are the ones who are most likely to legalize recreational use.
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1. Massachusetts
In Massachusetts on November 8, voters will choose yes or no on Question 4 — a bill to legalize the recreational use, possession, cultivation, and sale of marijuana. The bill calls for regulation along the lines of alcohol, if passed.
Though Massachusetts is a long-running blue state, the legalization effort in the commonwealth faces serious opposition from sitting leadership in both parties. Republican Gov. Charlie Baker and Boston Democratic Mayor Marty Walsh oppose recreational legalization. The two joined Attorney General Maura Healey in a Boston Globe op-ed this March opposing the measure:
“Our state has already decriminalized the drug for personal use, and we’ve made it legally available for medical use. The question before us now is whether marijuana should be fully legal and widely available for commercial sale. We think the answer is ‘no.'”
All that said, a majority of voters support the measure, according to the current polling average on Ballotpedia. And two previous measures — to decriminalize use and legalize medical use — passed by a wide margin.
If it passes, the bill would fully legalize recreational marijuana starting on December 15, 2016.
Name: Question 4
Chance of passing: Good. The average of polls, according to Ballotpedia, is 48.5% support versus 42.5% oppose, with a margin of error of plus or minus 4.1 percentage points.
2. Arizona
In Arizona on November 8, voters will choose yes or no on Proposition 205 — a bill to legalize the recreation use and cultivation of marijuana.
If passed, regulation of marijuana would be handled on a state level, while regulation of individual retail stores would be handled on a town/city level. Legalization would only apply to residents age 21 or older.
Despite Sen. John McCain’s support of legalization in the state, Republican Gov. Doug Ducey opposes the initiative. Overall, Arizona is an overwhelmingly red state and has been for decades. Former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney took the state’s 11 electoral votes from President Barack Obama in 2012.
That said, Arizona is a state with rapidly changing demographics — and with that demographic shift comes a political shift. Polling shows a close race in the battle over marijuana legalization, but the proposition, currently, looks as though it won’t pass.
Name: Proposition 205
Chance of passing: Not good. The average of polls puts support at 44.3%, and opposition at 46.7%, according to Ballotpedia. With a margin of error of plus or minus 3.7 percentage points, it’s possible the proposition will pass, but it’s not looking great.
3. California
In California on November 8, voters will choose yes or no on Proposition 64 — a bill to legalize the recreational use, possession, cultivation, and sale of marijuana. Legalization is limited to people over the age of 21.
Let’s be clear: California’s Proposition 64 is the most important of all the legalization initiatives on the ballot this November.
If California passes Proposition 64, the entire West Coast of the US will have legalized recreational and medicinal marijuana use. That’s huge. California, by itself, is the world’s sixth largest economy, ahead of places like France. You know, that whole country? France? Right.
And Proposition 64 is beyond likely to pass. Even though Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein opposes legalization, and Gov. Jerry Brown said in 2014, “How many people can get stoned and still have a great state or a great nation?” an overwhelming majority of California residents support it.
California’s initiative is also unique in that it could roll back the sentences of thousands of people who’ve been convicted on charges related to marijuana.
Name: Proposition 64
Chance of passing: Very good. The average of polls puts support at 60.5%, while opposition is at 34.3%, according to Ballotpedia.
4. Nevada
In Nevada on November 8, voters will choose yes or no on Question 2 — a bill to legalize the recreational use, possession, cultivation, and sale of marijuana. Legalization is limited to people over 21.
Despite the “Sin City” association with Las Vegas, much of the state of Nevada is rural and conservative. President Barack Obama took the state in both the 2008 and 2012 elections, marking a political slide toward blue as demographics in Nevada started to look more like California.
Still, even with a move toward progressive policymakers and being a place known for its close relationship to vice, legislators aren’t all in favor. Democratic Sen. Harry Reid said he’d vote against legalization if it were up to him. Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval also opposes the measure. All of which is to say that if passed, it could face opposition from sitting leadership.
Name: Question 2
Chance of passing: Good. Only one poll exists, but it puts support for legalization at 50% and opposition at 41%, according to Ballotpedia.
5. Maine
In Maine on November 8, voters will choose yes or no on Question 1 — a bill to legalize the recreational use, possession, cultivation, and sale of marijuana to adults over 21. Maine already allows for medicinal marijuana use.
Though Maine is a Democrat-leaning state, and this bill looks destined for passing with overwhelming support, several prior legalization efforts have failed. This time, things look more certain: Over $1 million was raised in pursuit of legalization in Maine, much of which was already spent gathering the signatures necessary to get Question 1 on the ballot this November.
Attorney General Janet Mills and Gov. Paul LePage both oppose legalization, but there appears to be no formal opposition groups for this November’s ballot measure.
Name: Question 1
Chance of passing: Good. According to The Bangor Daily News, multiple polls show support for legalization (in the range of 50-55% in favor, with 35-40% opposed).