Last updated : December 23, 2024
Florida, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota put legalizing marijuana to a vote on November 5th. Almost half the country has legalized marijuana for either recreational or medical use so many assumed the measures would easily pass in all four states.
As it turns out, there was only one.
Nebraska voted yes, but—
Nebraska had two medical marijuana measures, one to legalize and, then, another to regulate medical marijuana. If successful, Nebraska would become the thirty-ninth state to legalize medical marijuana. After two prior failed attempts, both measures passed with a wide margin of support statewide on November 5th. Even so, medical marijuana still may not become available to Nebraskans.
It all depends on the outcome of the legal challenges that are currently taking place in the Lancaster County District Court. The legal challenges stem from a case brought by a former state senator, John Kuehn, and former Secretary of State, Bob Evnen. Coincidentally, Evnen’s office had already certified the ballot measures for the November election before filing the lawsuit.
Lancaster County District Judge Susan Strong is currently deciding the case. The outcome should be known in about a week. However, citizens can expect the case to move on to the Nebraska Supreme Court no matter the initial outcome.
For now, the USAMDT Marijuana Map hasn’t updated Nebraska for medical marijuana legalization as we wait to see how it all pans out.
Florida said, “No way, man.”
It’s not that Floridians don’t smoke pot, even those who do were urging people to vote no on Amendment 3. That’s because—allegedly—the measure, written by Trulieve, contained monopolistic language leaning in their favor. There are also reported health concerns with Trulieve products. We aren’t delving into all that and will, instead, let the numbers speak for themselves.
Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis has strongly opposed the recreational marijuana measure standing firmly against it from its inception. He spoke openly about the fact that the amendment would benefit a small number of commercial marijuana producers while banning small businesses from getting involved. He also focused on the fact that it would lead to people openly smoking marijuana, thereby, overwhelming citizens with the smell.
And, you must admit, secondhand smoke theories set aside, it does kind of stink.
North Dakota nixes recreational smoking
North Dakota continues to stand firm on its decision to keep recreational marijuana illegal voting against Initiated Measure 5. Voters previously rejected measures to legalize recreational marijuana in both 2018 and 2022. Moreover, the state’s Senate defeated two bills passed by the House of Representatives for legalization and taxation in 2021.
If it had passed, people 21 years of age and older could have legally purchased marijuana for use in their homes or on other’s private property—with permission granted for such activity. Use in public or while traveling was to be prohibited. Citizens would have been able to grow a limited number of plants as well.
The fight for recreational legalization will, undoubtedly, continue. Supporters believed making marijuana legal would free up law enforcement to focus on more important issues, such as fentanyl, for instance. Opponents were focused on the harmful physiological and societal effects that are becoming more prevalent with legalization across the nation.
South Dakota measure got fewer votes this round
In 2020, South Dakota had measures on the ballot for legalizing recreational and medical marijuana. The state’s citizens voted in favor of the medical initiative obtaining nearly 70% of the vote. The recreational measure only garnered 54% approval which fell short of the required 60% necessary to win. It was defeated again in 2022—and we’re adding 2024 to the list.
If Measure 29 had passed, South Dakota citizens, aged 21 and over, would have been able to possess up to two ounces of marijuana. They could have grown up to six plants on their property too. Moreover, it would have allowed sharing among adults.
Unlike the 2022 proposal, there wouldn’t have been any commercial production or distribution allowed. If you wanted to have marijuana, you had to grow your own. Polls hadn’t looked favorable for passage as far back as May 2024.
They were right.
Is it wise to put the brakes on?
Pot has become a mega-industry as legalization continues to sweep across the nation. However, the THC levels keep getting higher, and, quite frankly, we just don’t know what effect that is going to have on the human body. Meanwhile, reports of emergency room visits related to marijuana use are rising.
Should we continue to act as human guinea pigs or are citizens wise to put the brakes on legalization until regulation—say regarding levels of human consumption until higher THC doses are proven to be safe—is put firmly in place?
We tend to vote for the “no more human guinea pig” option.
How about you?
