Recreational marijuana on the ballot in 5 states, 4 of them GOP strongholds
![A man waves a flag during a marijuana legalization protest.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zvbafonotb25ee5AEoMEBW-415-80.jpg)
Recreational marijuana could soon be legal in five new states after voters head to the polls in Tuesday's midterms.
Proposals to legalize recreational marijuana are on the ballot in Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The substance is already legal in 19 states plus Washington, D.C., and these five states could become the next to decriminalize recreational marijuana if voters pass the legislation.
Notably, four out of the five states with recreational marijuana on the ballot are conservative strongholds. The Associated Press noted that Maryland was the only state out of the five to not vote for former President Donald Trump in 2020.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
However, with attitudes about recreational marijuana continuing to shift, it is possible that more GOP-led states could follow suit with similar propositions.
Arkansas already became the first state in the Deep South to legalize medical marijuana in 2016, and could now become the first Bible Belt locale to legalize it recreationally. If passed, the measure would allow adults to buy one ounce of marijuana from a licensed retailer, CNBC reported.
Meanwhile, the lone Democratic stronghold of the group, Maryland, is looking to join its surrounding neighbors, Virginia and the District of Columbia, in legalizing recreational marijuana. Their proposal would allow adults to purchase slightly more product, 1.5 ounces, from a licensed retailer.
The push for marijuana legislation comes shortly after President Biden announced he would pardon those convicted on federal charges of simple marijuana possession, and urged state and local governments across the country to do the same.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other Hollywood news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
The manosphere: the shady online network of masculinists
The Explainer A new police report said a rise in radicalised young men is contributing to an increase in violence against women and girls
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
How can we fix tourism?
Today's Big Question Local protests over negative impact of ever-rising visitor numbers could change how we travel forever
By The Week UK Published
-
Simone Biles: Rising – an 'elegantly paced and vulnerable' portrait of the gymnast
The Week Recommends Netflix's four-part documentary is more than a 'riveting comeback story'
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Menendez convicted of bribery, fraud, and extortion
Speed Read The New Jersey Democratic Senator was found guilty in a federal corruption trial
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Florida judge dismisses Trump documents case
Speed Read Judge Aileen Cannon ruled that special counsel Jack Smith was improperly appointed
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Hamas says military chief survived Israeli strike
Speed Read An Israeli bombing failed to hit its intended target, military commander Mohammed Deif, but killed at least 90 Palestinians
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
First Israeli report on Oct. 7 finds 'severe mistakes and errors' in IDF response
Speed Reads Israeli military admits failures in response to deadly Hamas attack that triggered Gaza war
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Biden saw neurologist during physicals
Speed Read Following his bad debate performance, many are asking questions about the president's brain
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Russia bombs Kyiv children's hospital
Speed Reads The daytime barrage interrupted heart surgeries and killed at least 40 people
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published