There are 24 states that have legalized recreational marijuana, but several are vying to become the 25th.
Although proponents of marijuana legalization are actively trying to change state law in nearly all of the 26 states without legal marijuana, a handful of efforts have a real possibility of succeeding this year. In particular, there are four states vying to become the 25th legal marijuana state, with New Hampshire currently in the lead.
That said, here’s a breakdown of the four states that could become the 25th to legalize recreational marijuana.
New Hampshire
For the first time in state history New Hampshire’s full Senate voted this week to legalize recreational marijuana. The measure has already passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 239 to 136. However, it will need to go back to the House for a final vote of concurrence before it can be sent to Governor Chris Sununu, who says he will sign it into law as passed by the Senate.
Although all signs point to New Hampshire becoming the 25th legal marijuana state in the coming weeks, disagreements between the House and Senate could cause delays in the bill’s passage, or potentially thwart the effort altogether.
Both the Senate and House versions of the bill would allow those 21 and older to possess and use marijuana and marijuana products such as edibles and concentrates, and both would permit licensed marijuana stores. However, the Senate version of the bill would establish state-operated marijuana stores, which many House members oppose. Governor Sununu has stated he will only sign the bill into law if it includes the provision for state-run outlets.
Florida
In November, voters will have the opportunity to decide on Amendment 3. This amendment would permit individuals aged 21 and older to possess up to three ounces of dried marijuana flower and up to five grams of marijuana concentrates. Licensed marijuana retail outlets and medical marijuana dispensaries that acquire a dual license would be authorized to sell these products.
A recent University of North Florida poll indicated that 67% of likely voters are in favor of Amendment 3, surpassing the required 60% threshold for the amendment to become law.
As of April, the campaign for Amendment 3 has amassed over $55 million, outpacing any previous legalization campaign in terms of funding. To put this in perspective, the campaign for California’s Proposition 64 raised $25 million in 2016, and Ohio’s Issue 2 campaign (approved last year) raised $7 million.
South Dakota
South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws recently submitted approximately 30,000 signatures for their initiative to legalize recreational marijuana for individuals aged 21 and older. This count significantly exceeds the 17,508 signatures required to qualify the measure for the November 2024 presidential election ballot. Although the initiative will not be officially placed on the ballot until the state confirms that a sufficient number of these signatures are valid (from registered South Dakota voters), the group has submitted enough signatures that more than 40% would need to be invalid for the measure to fail to make the ballot.
If enacted, the initiative would permit individuals aged 21 and older to possess up to an ounce of marijuana and cultivate up to three marijuana plants at a private residence. Additionally, it would authorize a system of licensed and regulated marijuana stores to distribute marijuana and marijuana products.
For a list of the three states on track to legalize marijuana in 2025, click here.
North Dakota
North Dakota Secretary of State Michael Howe recently approved an initiative to legalize recreational marijuana, allowing proponents to begin collecting signatures to put it to a vote in the November 2024 or 2025 election. The proposed initiative would allow individuals aged 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana, four grams of marijuana concentrates, and 1,500 milligrams of adult-use cannabinoid products (with up to 300 milligrams in edible form). It would also permit the personal cultivation of up to three marijuana plants and authorize licensed marijuana stores to sell marijuana and marijuana products.
The nonprofit political committee New Economic Frontier now has one year to collect 15,582 signatures from registered North Dakota voters to qualify the measure for a vote. If the signatures are gathered by July 8, the initiative will be on the ballot this November. If collected after July 8, the measure will be placed on the 2025 general election ballot.
The requirement of 15,582 signatures is based on 2% of the state’s resident population according to the most recent US Census data.
