There are currently 160 statewide ballot measures put forward on the November 5 ballot, and six involve legalizing either cannabis or psychedelics in states across the U.S.
The states that are putting marijuana up to a public vote are Florida, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska. And the state that is putting the legality of natural psychedelics up to a public vote is Massachusetts.
Florida
Florida’s ballot measure Amendment 3 would “legalize the recreational or personal use of marijuana.”
Medical marijuana is already legal in Florida. Donald Trump has come out in support of the measure, writing on Truth Social on September 9, “As a Floridian, I will be voting YES on Amendment 3 this November.”
However, Gov. Ron DeSantis has come out against the bill, saying that recreational marijuana use should not be legal in Florida.
North Dakota
North Dakota’s ballot measure, Initiated Measure 5, would “legalize the recreational or personal use of marijuana.” Medical marijuana is also currently legal in the state.
According to polling from the North Dakota Monitor, support for the measure is split among the electorate, with 45 percent of voters being for it, 40 percent against, and 15 percent still undecided.
South Dakota
Although medical marijuana is not currently legal in South Dakota, their ballot measure for the election, Initiated Measure 29, would also “legalize the recreational or personal use of marijuana.”
By South Dakota law, the Secretary of State’s Office is required to publish a list of pros and cons for the measure. It says those in favor of the measure have said: “[The initiative] is a simple, common-sense policy that would legalize cannabis for adults 21 and over in South Dakota. By voting yes, you can protect personal freedom, improve public health and safety, and restore the will of the people.”
It adds that people opposing it say: “[The initiative] opens the door for increased crime, suicide rates, traffic fatalities, workplace injuries, reduction in workforce, mental health problems and youth use. This measure would harm South Dakota children, families, communities.”
Nebraska
Nebraska is the only state in 2024 that is voting on legalizing medical marijuana. Nebraska voters have a pair of cannabis-centered initiatives on their ballots.
The first is Initiative 437 which would “Legalize the medical use of marijuana in the state,” and the second is Initiative 438 which would “Establish the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission to regulate the state’s medical marijuana program.”
A ‘Weed’ sign advertising a cannabis dispensary, May 24, 2024, Los Angeles, California. There are four states in the 2024 election with weed-related measures on the ballot.
Mario Tama/Getty images
Massachusetts
The only state that is putting the legality of natural psychedelics up to a public vote is Massachusetts.
Their drug-related ballot measure this November, Question 4, would “authorize individuals 21 years of age or older to grow, possess, and use a personal amount of psychedelic substances,” as well as “create a Natural Psychedelic Substances Commission and Advisory Board to regulate the licensing of psychedelic substances and services, including the administration of psychedelic substances to individuals 21 years of age or older under licensed supervision.”
Recreational marijuana is already legal in the state, and if their psychedelic measure were to pass they would become the third state in the country to legalize natural psychedelics, following measures in Oregon and Colorado in 2022.
This measure is citizen-led, and is being backed by the Massachusetts for Mental Health Options campaign. They argue that natural psychedelics will assist with mental health care in the state.
Emily Oneschuk, the grassroots campaign director for Massachusetts for Mental Health Options, spoke to Newsweek about the campaign.
Oneschuk told Newsweek: “We’re facing a mental health crisis, and many people aren’t being helped by existing tools. Impressive research from top medical institutions shows that natural psychedelic medicines can be effective for helping people with a wide range of mental health challenges. Veterans, people dealing with end-of-life anxiety, and others who struggle with their mental health deserve access to psychedelic therapy.”
She added: “We are concerned that if Question 4 does not pass then many people who are suffering will not have access to this powerful tool for healing.”
She believes that natural psychedelics “should be treated as a public health issue, not a criminal issue.”
However, a campaign led by a Massachusetts General Hospital surgeon formed earlier this year to oppose the measure. The Boston Globe reported in May that spokesperson Chris Keohan said they are not arguing against the therapeutic value, but said they were concerned about the dangers of home growers.
“Since the measure allows individuals to give out the psychedelics they grow at home to others, it creates a massive loophole that will open the door to an unregulated and unsafe black market,” he said.
According to a WBUR poll from September 24, Massachusetts voters are split on the measure, with 42 percent of respondents saying they’re for it, and 44 percent saying they’re against it.
Do you have a story we should be covering? Do you have any questions about this article? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com
