All of the states with recreational marijuana on the ballot, except for Maryland, voted for Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election. Heading into the election, recreational marijuana was legal in 19 states, and polls have shown opposition to legalization softening. It also would have established policies to regulate retail stores, cultivators and other types of marijuana businesses. “It’s pretty clear North Dakota families don’t want marijuana across the state,” said Luke Niforatos, executive vice president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, a Virginia-based political organization against marijuana legalization, which helped fight the measure in North Dakota. Arkansas and North Dakota voters rejected legalization proposals in Tuesday’s elections. The state’s dispensaries opened in 2019, and more than 91,000 patients have cards to legally buy marijuana for medical conditions.
By ANDREW DeMILLO (Associated Press)
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Voters approved recreational marijuana in Maryland and Missouri but rejected it in two other states, signaling support gradually growing for legalization even in conservative parts of the country.
The results mean that 21 states have now approved marijuana’s recreational use. Arkansas and North Dakota voters rejected legalization proposals in Tuesday’s elections. A similar initiative went before voters in South Dakota, but early Wednesday it was too early to call.
Advocates said the results send a message to lawmakers in Washington about support around the country for...
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