Which States Are Voting on Legalizing Marijuana on November 8?

JOHNSTOWN, NY - AUGUST 19: Cannabis plants grow in the greenhouse at Vireo Health's medical marijuana cultivation facility, August 19, 2016 in Johnstown, New York. New York state lawmakers voted to legalize marijuana for medical use in 2014 and the law took effect in January 2016. Currently, five organizations are allowed to grow and sell the drug for medical use in the state. New York's new law only allows people with 'severe debilitating or life threatening conditions' to obtain marijuana for medical use. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Which states have marijuana on the ballot on November 8? (Getty Images)

The presidential election may be in the spotlight, but another big election is happening on many states’ ballots. Nine states are voting on whether or not to legalize recreational or medical marijuana on November 8. We have the complete list of which states have this on the ballot right here. These are all for state ballots. Marijuana use is still illegal federally.

The following states have ballot measures related to marijuana:


Arizona Marijuana Ballot Measure

Arizona’s legislation is Proposition 205 for marijuana legalization. According to Ballotpedia, the measure is for legalizing the possession and consumption of marijuana by people who are 21 or older. It would allow someone to possess one ounce or less and to grow up to six plants in their homes. A vote of “yes” will support the ballot.

If passed, a Department of Marijuana Licensing and Control will be established to regulate the cultivation, testing, and sale of marijuana. There would also be fines for smoking in a public place, for underage use, unauthorized production, and other issues. A maximum fine would be $300, with community service. Marijuana sales will be taxed 15 percent.

Medical marijuana was already legalized in Arizona in 1996, and then voters approved a different medical marijuana bill, Proposition 203, in 2010.


Arkansas Marijuana Ballot Measure

Arkansas’ measure is Issue 6 (the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment of 2016) for medical marijuana legalization. According to Ballotpedia, medical marijuana would be legalized for 17 conditions. A vote of yes will support the legalization.

If passed, medical dispensaries and cultivation facilities could be established. State and local taxes could be applied to sales. City voters could ban facilities in their municipalities.

Another measure, Issue 7, failed to make it onto the ballot. This issue would have allowed resident to use medical marijuana and, in some cases, grow their own. Supporters had collected more than 117,000 signatures to get the issue on the ballot, but the state Supreme Court ruled that more than half of the signatures were invalid, Time reported. If you’re interested in learning more about Issue 7, visit their Facebook page here.


California Marijuana Ballot Measure

This ballot measure would impact the largest population on November 8. It’s Proposition 64 for marijuana legalization, called “Marijuana Legalization. Initiative Statute.” According to Ballotpedia, this will legalize recreational marijuana use for people who are 21 or older. A vote of “yes” will support legalization.

If passed, smoking will be allowed in a private home or a business that’s licensed for on-site marijuana consumption. Smoking is illegal while driving or anywhere that tobacco smoking is illegal, plus public places. A person can possess up to 8 grams of concentrated marijuana and up to 28.5 grams of marijuana. Possession isn’t allowed at schools, day cares, or youth centers while children are present. People will be allowed to grow up to six plants in their home, if locked and not publicly visible. The ballot will also allow marijuana sale and cultivation to be taxed.

Nancy Pelosi recently announced that she would vote in favor of this bill.

Medical marijuana was legalized in California in 1996.


Florida Marijuana Ballot Measure

Florida’s ballot measure is Amendment 2 for medical marijuana legalization. According to Ballotpedia, this would allow individuals with specified debilitating diseases or conditions to use medical marijuana, as determined by a doctor. A vote of “yes” supports legalization.

Covered conditions include cancer epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, PTSD, ALS, Crohn’s, Parkinson’s, and M.S.


Maine Marijuana Ballot Measure

Maine’s ballot is Question 1, for marijuana legalization. According to Ballotpedia, this ballot will legalize recreational marijuana use for anyone age 21 or older. A vote of “yes” supports legalization.

If passed, people who are 21 or older can possess marijuana of up to 2.5 ounces. They can also transfer or furnish up to six immature plants or seedlings and 2.5 ounces of marijuana. They can grow, cultivate, or possess or transport up to six flowering marijuana plants, 12 immature marijuana plants and unlimited seedlings. These can be possessed at a person’s home. You can read more about the ballot measure here. The ballot will also allow the sale of marijuana to be taxed.

Medical marijuana has been legal in Maine since 1999.


Massachusetts Marijuana Ballot Measure

Massachusetts’ ballot will be Question 4: marijuana legalization. According to Ballotpedia, this will allow marijuana to be legalized but regulated similarly to how alcohol is regulated. A vote of “yes” supports legalization.

With this ballot, anyone 21 or older can use, grow, or possess under 10 ounces of marijuana in their home or under one ounce in public. They can grow up to six plants in their home.

Marijuana is currently legal for medicinal uses only.


Montana Marijuana Ballot Measure

Montana’s ballot is Initiative I-182 for medical marijuana. According to Ballotpedia, this ballot would repeal the three-patient limit for medical marijuana providers. A vote of “yes” supports repealing this limit. Physicians could also prescribe marijuana to people with chronic pain and PTSD.

In 2004, medical marijuana was legalized in Montana. In 2011, the bill was amended to ban medical marijuana ads and limit dispensaries to only having three users.


Nevada Marijuana Ballot Measure

Nevada’s issue is Question 2 for marijuana legalization. According to Ballotpedia, this ballot measure will legalize recreational marijuana use of one ounce or less by people who are 21 or older.  They can also grow up to six marijuana plants for personal use. A vote of “yes” supports legalization. A 15 percent tax will also be introduced.

In 2009, medical marijuana was legalized in Nevada.


North Dakota Marijuana Ballot Measure

North Dakota’s ballot is called Initiated Statutory Measure 5 for medical marijuana legalization. According to Ballotpedia, this will legalize medical marijuana for the treatment of conditions such as cancer, HIV and AIDS, hepatitis C, ALS, PTSD, Alzheimer’s, Crohn’s, Fibromyalgia, glaucoma, types of chronic back pain, and epilepsy. A vote of “yes” will legalize medical marijuana.