In yesterday’s election, numerous marijuana-related proposals were considered on the state and local level: Here’s a breakdown of how each of these proposal faired.

Although November 5 was not a great day for cannabis law reform, with all three recreational marijuana legalization measures being denied by voters, there were some bright spots. With that said, below is a breakdown of the 2024 election.
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Over 100 cities and counties in Kentucky have officially approved ordinances allowing medical marijuana dispensaries.

In last night’s election, 106 cities and counties approved medical marijuana initiatives. Not a single city or county rejected the proposal.

The ordinances provide guidelines for dispensaries, cultivation centers, and other medical cannabis facilities. Kentucky’s medical marijuana law, signed by Governor Andy Beshear in 2023, allows patients diagnosed with conditions like cancer, chronic pain, epilepsy, PTSD, and multiple sclerosis to possess and use marijuana products with a doctor’s supervision. The law establishes a regulated system of medical marijuana dispensaries, with cities and counties given the option to opt out through a public vote.

State regulations prohibit smoking cannabis but allow its use in forms such as oils, edibles, and vaporizers. The Kentucky Department for Alcoholic Beverage Control oversees licensing and the regulatory framework for production, processing, and retail distribution, ensuring safe and legal access for qualifying patients.
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Voters in Oregon have given approval to the United for Cannabis Workers Act, put forth by United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 555.

Once Measure 119 takes effect, it will guarantee cannabis industry workers the right to organize and bargain collectively. Although joining a union would be optional, this proposal would provide legal protections for those choosing to do so.

“Workers across every industry should have the freedom to unionize if they so choose”, says Dan Clay, President, UFCW Local 555. “This ballot measure closes an age-old loophole that deprives that right to thousands of Oregon cannabis workers. Shady cannabis tycoons have taken advantage of an outdated law to strip workers’ rights that are guaranteed to nearly every other American. By passing Measure 119, voters will enshrine the freedom to unionize in the Oregon Cannabis industry.”
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Nebraska voters have made their state the 39th to legalize medical marijuana through the passage of two companion initiatives.

Nebraska voters have approved both the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Patient Protection Act (Initiative 437) and the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Regulation Act (Initiative 438) with overwhelming support.

The Nebraska Medical Cannabis Patient Protection Act provides legal safeguards for patients, allowing them to possess up to five ounces of marijuana for medical use. The measure also provides legal protections for healthcare providers who recommend medical marijuana.
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South Dakota voters have chosen to keep recreational marijuana illegal, rejecting Measure 29 in Tuesday’s election.

The initiative would have allowed those 21 and older to possess up to two ounces of marijuana and grow up to 12 plants for personal use. Measure 29 also proposed establishing licensed marijuana retail outlets to serve adults, which would have allowed the state to regulate and tax cannabis sales. With the measure’s defeat, these provisions will not take effect.

This decision marks the third time South Dakota has faced a setback in efforts to legalize recreational marijuana. Voters approved a similar measure in 2020, but it was subsequently overturned by the courts, citing procedural issues. In 2022, voters defeated a similar measure, with many analysts attributing the loss to lower voter turnout given it wasn’t a presidential election. Measure 29 was crafted to address the concerns outlined in that ruling while retaining the 2020 initiative’s core objectives. Nonetheless, a majority of voters did not support the proposal in this election.
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Bullitt County and Scott County, Kentucky, have officially approved the operation of medical marijuana dispensaries within their borders.

Bullet County has a population nearly 84,000, and Scott County around 60,000. Tonight, voters if both states have passed ordinance allowing licensed dispensaries, joining Hardin County.

The ordinances outlines provisions for dispensaries, cultivation centers, and other medical cannabis facilities. Similar proposals are on the ballots across more than 100 other Kentucky cities and counties this election cycle. Kentucky’s medical marijuana law, signed by Governor Andy Beshear in 2023, allows patients diagnosed with conditions such as cancer, chronic pain, epilepsy, PTSD, and multiple sclerosis to possess and use marijuana and marijuana products under a doctor’s guidance. The law establishes a system of regulated medical marijuana dispensaries, giving cities and counties the option to opt out via a public vote.
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Voters in Bastrop and Lockhart Texas have given overwhelming approval to local initiatives that will significantly change how marijuana possession and use is handled by law enforcement.

Both ordinances will remove the potential for jailtime and a criminal charge for the possession of up to four ounces of marijuana as well as marijuana paraphrenia. Instead, those caught with four ounces or less of cannabis will be, at most, given a civil infraction similar to a traffic violation.

The same ordinance was given approval tonight by voters in Dallas. All three measures were approved with well over 60% support.
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Voters in Dallas, Texas have given overwhelming approval to a local initiative that will significantly change how marijuana possession and use is handled by law enforcement.

With around 64% in support, voters have passed Proposition R, a proposal by Ground Game Texas that will prevent arrests for those found with up to four ounces of marijuana. Rather than facing arrest and a criminal charge, individuals caught possessing no more than four ounces will receive a citation similar to a minor traffic ticket. The measure will take effect immediately upon certification of the election results.

Similar measure have already been approved in the cities of San Marcos, Killeen, Elgin, Denton and Harker Heights. In all five of these cities, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed lawsuits seeking to have them overturned. However, judges in Austin and San Marcos have already dismissed the lawsuits for those two cities.
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Hardin County, Kentucky has voted overwhelmingly to allow medical marijuana dispensaries within their boundaries.

Voters have approved an ordinance allowing licensed marijuana dispensaries to operate within county lines. This decision comes as the state prepares to roll out its medical cannabis program in early 2025. The state legalized medical marijuana in 2023. Within Hardin County, the cities of Vine Grove and West Point approved their own ordinances allowing medical marijuana dispensaries.

The ordinance, which was approved with nearly 70% support, sets the groundwork for dispensaries, cultivation sites, and other medical cannabis operations. A similar ordinance is on the ballot in more than 100 other cities and counties in Kentucky.
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