Which state will become the 25th to legalize adult-use cannabis?
Last year three states – Delaware, Minnesota and Ohio – passed legalization.
In 2024, ballot initiatives will take place in Florida and North and South Dakota.
Florida
It took two years to get Amendment 3 on the ballot. After numerous court-ordered delays, the initiative was approved by the state's Supreme Court in April.
Since it's a Constitutional amendment, 60% is needed to pass.
The initiative allows for possession of three ounces and would permit the current Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMCTs) do the selling. That's why Trulieve and other MSOs have kicked in more than $66 million so far ($59 million by Trulieve alone - the others are Green Thumb Industries and Curaleaf).
There are currently 661 dispensaries in Florida. Trulieve leads the pack with 142, followed by MUV (77), Ayr Cannabis (64), Curaleaf (63), Surterra Wellness (45) and RISE/GTI (23).
Florida voters legalized medical cannabis in 2016 (also an amendment).
Recent polls show 64% support for Smart & Safe Florida's Amendment 3.
North Dakota
They say the third time is a charm. Well, North Dakotans will have to do it again in November by casting their ballots for the North Dakota Marijuana Legalization Initiative.
According to Ballotpedia, the measure would allow adults to "possess up to one ounce of marijuana flower, four grams of cannabinoid concentrate [and] 300 mg of edibles. Individuals would be allowed to grow three plants with a limit of six plants per household."
The state will coordinate the retail market for licensees.
Similar measures on the ballot lost in 2018 and 2022.
South Dakota
A similar scenario is playing out in South Dakota where adult-use legalization will be on the ballot for the third time in November via Measure 29.
It allows for possession of two ounces and 6-12 plants for homegrow. Business licensing would be handled by the legislature.
The passage of a similar measure in 2020 was overruled by the state's Supreme Court on a technicality. A legalization measure also was defeated in 2022.
Why will this effort succeed when the others didn't?
"We firmly believe that South Dakotans deserve to make their own choices on how they live their lives, including the freedom to responsibly use cannabis," said the campaign's poliical director Zebadiah Johnson.
It will also help all three inititives that 2024 is a Presidential election cycle, which promises more voters going to the polls.
This article has been updated.
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