While a handful of states still have a legitimate chance to legalize marijuana this year, others are unlikely to do so this year but are on track to see significant movement toward legalization in 2025.
There are current two states set to have initiatives to legalize marijuana on this November’s ballot, with at least two other states with a shot at legalizing this year via their state’s legislature. The states listed below are not necessarily on track to legalize marijuana this year, but have ongoing efforts that are viable enough that a vote in 2025 is complete possible.
That said, here are the 5 states on track to legalize marijuana in 2025:
North Dakota
This week North Dakota’s secretary of state gave approval to an initiative that would legalize recreational marijuana, allowing proponents of the measure to begin collecting signatures in hopes of putting it to a vote during the November 2024 or 2025 election. The measure would allow those 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana, four grams of marijuana concentrates and 1500 milligrams of adult-use cannabinoid products (300 milligrams of this can be in the form of edible products). The initiative would also allow the personal cultivation of up to three marijuana plants, and it would allow marijuana and marijuana products to be purchased through licensed marijuana stores.
Although proponents of the initiative have the opportunity to make this November’s ballot by collecting around 15,000 signatures by July 8, with that being less than 2.5 months away it seems more likely the group would reach their signature goal after July 8, meaning it could be placed on the November, 2025 ballot.
Hawaii
Hawaii came closer than ever this year to legalizing recreational marijuana. The state’s Senate passed Senate Bill 3335 by a vote of 19 to 6. The measure was then passed through three different House committees and a procedural vote from the whole chamber. Its last stop before a final House vote and then a supportive Governor Josh Green was the House Finance Committee, with the chair refusing to give the measure a vote before a deadline, effectively killing it for the year
The proposed law would allow those 21 and older to possess up to an ounce of marijuana and up to five grams of marijuana concentrates, purchasable from a licensed marijuana retail outlet. The legislation would establish the Hawaii Cannabis Authority and Cannabis Control Board within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs in order to oversee the legal marijuana market, including licensing and regulations. Recreational marijuana would be taxed at 14% and medical marijuana taxed at 4%. The personal cultivation of up to six plants would also be allowed.
Although the measure didn’t quite reach the finish line this year, proponents have vowed to continuing fighting for legalization next year, and with such widespread support among the public and state lawmakers it will grow harder for one committee chair to continue to stop an entire state from ending marijuana prohibition.
Wisconsin
In October a bicameral coalition of 36 state lawmakers filed Senate Bill 486 and Assembly Bill 506to legalize marijuana for everyone 21 and older. The companion bills would legalize the personal possession of up to five ounces of marijuana, and the personal cultivation of up to six marijuana plants. Licensed marijuana stores would be authorized to sell marijuana and marijuana products, with a 15% tax placed on marijuana sales.
Although the legislation is not currently supported by the majority of Republicans, who control the state’s legislature, it is supported by Governor Tony Evers, who included marijuana legalization provisions in his proposed state budget this year. With elections this November, the dynamics of the state legislature could shift, potentially driving more support for legalization as we head into 2025.
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