Following years of debate, the green rush is fully under way in America. More than two-thirds of all states have given the green light to medical marijuana, with 18 of these states having existing or pending legislation in place that allows for recreational cannabis to be consumed and/or sold.
Support for nationwide legalization has also never been higher. Gallup’s national poll on marijuana sentiment, which dates back 50 years, showed that a record-high 68% of respondents want pot legal, as of 2020.
Connecticut
The only state left with a really good shot at legalizing adult-use cannabis in 2021 is Connecticut. The Constitution State is in close proximity to a bunch of states that have already chosen to legalize recreational pot. In order to avoid losing tax revenue to these surrounding states, it only makes sense to advance a legalization bill.
Minnesota
Next on the list is the Gopher State, Minnesota.
Unlike Connecticut, which has one party controlling its state’s legislature, friction between Democrats and Republicans in Minnesota’s legislature likely means a 2022 ballot initiative is what’ll lead to legalization.
The core bill being considered in the state is officially known as HF600. It was introduced at the beginning of February and aims to legalize recreational marijuana.
Hawaii
Lastly, the Aloha State looks to have a real shot at legalizing recreational marijuana — but there is a catch.
Hawaii’s legislature has been predominantly packed with Democrats for years. Since Democrats have a very favorable view of weed, they’ve, on multiple occasions, passed legislation designed to legalize adult-use marijuana and expunge low-level convictions.
So, why isn’t it legal? Democrat Gov. David Ige is the answer.
In 2019, Ige vetoed two of three cannabis reform bills from his state’s legislature — he OK’d decriminalization for persons possessing up to three grams of flower — and he’s expressed serious concern about a pair of bills the state’s legislature has been working on in 2021 concerning adult-use legalization and low-level expungement. Though Ige hasn’t specifically said he’d veto cannabis legislation, the thinking is he will, especially given his previous vetoes and his views of cannabis as a Schedule I (i.e., illicit) substance at the federal level.
The solution? Wait out Ige. Governors in Hawaii are limited to two terms, and Ige’s is up on Dec. 5, 2022. The election of a new governor in November 2022 that would support adult-use cannabis could clear a quick path to legalization shortly after the midterm elections.
Source: 3 States Likely to Legalize Marijuana Next | The Motley Fool
