Did weed win the midterms?

(Image credit: iStock/UrosPoteko)

published 7 November 2018

Voters in three states passed marijuana legalization measures on Tuesday — and some advocates say the whole country may soon follow suit.

Michigan on Tuesday passed a ballot measure legalizing the use and sale of recreational marijuana in the state, reports The Detroit Free Press. Utah and Missouri approved medical marijuana measures, NPR notes.

Michigan and Missouri's measures won by a healthy margin, but a Mormon push against Utah's proposition likely led to its slim 53-47 victory, The Salt Lake Tribune reports. North Dakotans, meanwhile, smoked out recreational pot, with 59 percent of voters rejecting a ballot measure that would've lifted all limits on pot growth and possession, per Forbes. Medical marijuana is still permitted in the state.

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These new pro-pot laws signify changing sentiments across the country, marijuana advocates tell NBC News, as does a Democratic House victory. House Rules Committee Chair Pete Sessions (R-Texas), who often shuts down votes on any pro-marijuana bills, lost his re-election race on Tuesday. A rush of pro-decriminalization Democrats also claimed new seats, leaving pot advocates on a high as they continue to push for federal decriminalization and legalization.

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Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.

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