2016 Election: A State-By-State Cannabis Recap

By Leland Radovanovic|November 9, 2016

A quick look at what happened with cannabis voting in all 9 states.

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Yes, Donald Trump has been elected President of the United States.

But in the aftermath of a most shocking election let’s take a look on the positive side of things, because this was a remarkable year for cannabis reform in America, and because we all surely need it.  Eight of the nine states with legalization, medical initiatives, referendums, and amendments on the ballot passed.

So here’s quick recap of what happened in all nine states as of 3:30am est.

Arizona

Yes  48%  No  52%

Almost. Prop 205 would have legalized cannabis possession of up to an ounce, and personal cultivation of up to 6 plants for adults 21 and older.

Arkansas

Yes  53%  No 47%

Arkansas passed Issue 6, which legalizes medical cannabis. Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment allows patients with debilitating conditions to get certification from their doctors to buy medical cannabis. Patients can’t grow at home.

California

Yes  56%  No 44%

Californians passed Prop 64, or the Adult Use of Marijuana Act. Adults 21 years and older can possess up to an ounce of cannabis, purchase cannabis from licensed retailers, and grow up to six plants for personal use.

Florida

Yes  71%  No 29%

Finally. Florida has approved a state constitutional amendment to legalize medical marijuana. This opened up qualifying conditions to include HIV, AIDS, PTSD, ALS, Crohn’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, multiple sclerosis, and other debilitating diseases as approved by a physician.

Massachusetts

Yes  53%  No 47%

Legal cannabis is coming to Massachusetts. The state voted to approve Question 4 that allows adults over the age of 21 to possess up to an ounce of cannabis in public, ten ounces at home, and home cultivation of 6 plants.

Maine

Yes  50.6%  No 49.4%

Mainers voted yes on Question 1 to legalize the adult-use of cannabis and join Massachusetts as the first two New England States with legal cannabis. Question 1 legalizes the possession of 2 ½ ounces of cannabis, and home grows of six flowering and twelve non-flowering plants for adults over 21.

Montana

Yes 56%   No 44%

Montana Initiative 182 passed. The proposal gets rid of the original limit that restricted medical cannabis providers to just three patients. The qualifying conditions are expanded to include PTSD and chronic pain.

Nevada

Yes 54%   No 46%

Nevada was in full support of Question 2. Adults over the age of 21 will be able to possess up to an ounce of cannabis, and cultivate up to six plants for those who don’t live within 25 miles of a retailer.

North Dakota

Yes 64%   No 36%

North Dakota passed Measure 5. Measure 5, or the Compassionate Care Act, legalizes medical cannabis for conditions such as AIDS, cancer, hepatitis, glaucoma, ALS, epilepsy, and other debilitating diseases. Patients can possess up to three ounces of cannabis.

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Leland Radovanovic

Leland Radovanovic is the founder of Baruch Students for Sensible Drug Policy. When he's not on a stump or soapbox, he's building his freelance PR and Media Relations business.