Which 7 States Will Probably Legalize Recreational Marijuana in 2022?

During the 2012 election, voters in Colorado accepted a ballot initiative to legalize the cultivation, sale, and recreational use of cannabis. It was the first state in the US to take on such an initiative. As the public campaign for cannabis legalization grew, Washington, D.C., and eighteen other states legalized the use of the drug over a nine-year span.

It's the end 2021 and the call for weed legalization is becoming even more intense especially among Democratic politicians; some Republicans are also in support. Across the United States, advocates are intensely drafting proposals, getting signatures, and employing public outreaches to gain support for cannabis legalization.

Here is a breakdown of states likely to legalize the growth, use, and distribution of cannabis in the year 2022.

Arkansas

Arkansas True Grass is one major Grass Roots Movement in Arkansas with the sole aim of supporting cannabis legalization in the state. The group supports the planting and the use of the cannabis plant for every purpose. At the moment, it is proposing a system whereby adults who are 21 years old and above are allowed to buy up to four ounces of cannabis. The adults should also be able to cultivate up to 12 plants for their personal use.

The Arkansas True Grass and another pro-marijuana group have tried to put the marijuana legalization initiatives on the 2020 ballot. However, this attempt was stalled as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic in addition to the fact that they could not collect enough signatures by the deadline. Hopefully, this will be achieved in the year 2022.

Idaho

Weed in Idaho is illegal, whether for medical or recreational purposes. The laws are also one of the strictest ones in the US.

However, some activists have started collecting signatures for a revision of the policies. This initiative is likely to be more limited in scope than those in other states. It is expected that about three ounces of marijuana will be allowed on private property only for adults who are 21 and older.

Home cultivation will still be punishable under law though. The main idea is for customers to be allowed to purchase cannabis in neighboring states that already have legal retail operations. Then they can bring it home and consume it in the privacy of their homes.

Meanwhile, there is another campaign to adopt medical cannabis in the state. Signatures are actively being collected to qualify for the 2022 ballot. When it is legalized, patients who qualify can buy and be in possession of up to four ounces of marijuana. Up to six cannabis plants can also be cultivated.

Maryland

Recently, the Maryland House speaker pledged that the house will pass legislation in 2022 to put this question of ‘marijuana legislation’ before voters. A cannabis working group has also been formed to assess the best way of structuring the reform.

The Senate Finance Committee had a meeting in March on the legalization bill. This was sponsored by top lawmakers which include the body’s president, and important committee members. After this, another hearing was held by the House Judiciary Committee on a different cannabis proposal. Lawmakers have tried reconciling the differences between the Senate and House proposals hoping to take a conclusion to Gov. Larry Hogan (R), who hasn’t endorsed legalization but is open to the idea.

Mississippi

Cannabis is illegal in Mississippi except for recreational use. Only low-THC/high-CBD products are permitted at the moment for intense seizure disorders. Currently, there is not a single initiative filed for the 2022 ballot. However, advocates plan to launch a campaign if the legislature passes a bill that has not-so-robust patient protection.

Although a medical marijuana measure was widely approved by several voters in the 2020 election, the state’s Supreme Court called it off after a legal ballot system challenge.

Missouri

A group of marijuana activists in Missouri recently filed about 4 different initiatives to place marijuana reform on the ballot.

Another group, Fair Access Missouri, is considering more than one citizen initiative hoping that they will get at least one on the ballot in 2022. The essence of these proposals is to create a system of legalized marijuana sales for individuals who are at least 21 years old. Other proposals seek for an amendment to the state’s already existing medical marijuana law.

Marijuana legalization will permit the legal and safe use of marijuana by adults who have clocked the age of 21. It will also regulate the cultivating, manufacturing, processing, and distribution of cannabis products within the state.

North Dakota

A bill to legalize marijuana was passed in North Dakota sometime in March but was later rejected. As a result, some senators devised a plan to table it before voters in 2022. This was also blocked by the full senate. Nonetheless, a group of activists are collecting signatures to qualify a constitutional improvement to legalize marijuana for the 2022 ballot.

Another group, Legalize ND, plans to push for a legalization ballot measure. Although its plans were stalled by the Covid 19 pandemic, it is only a matter of time. Weed is likely to be legalized in North Dakota in 2022.

Ohio

Marijuana activists in Ohio recently revealed a fresh plan to legalize marijuana within the state through the ballot. Although voters did not accept a 2015 cannabis legalization initiative and the activists suspended the campaign to put another on the 2020 ballot because of COVID, a new and more intense effort has been launched.

This new effort is being spearheaded by the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol (CTRMLA). It intends to implore legislators to review the policies guiding the cultivation, use, and distribution of cannabis within the state. CTRMLA proposes that adults who are at least 21 years of age can have up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis in their possession. They should also be allowed to possess up to 15 grams of cannabis concentrates. Adults can grow up to 6 plants for home use, with at most 12 plants in a household.

Which of these states do you think will successfully legalize marijuana in 2022. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.