washington – Marijuana laws are up for a vote once again in a handful of states this year.

Public consent, although still illegal under federal law marijuana has grown significantly. Before this election, 24 states had legalized recreational marijuana; The last time Ohio voters did this was in November 2023.

Marijuana plants. (Photo: Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)

Here are the decisions voters in these four states have made regarding marijuana use:

Florida: rejected

Florida voters on Tuesday rejected ballot measures to legalize marijuana, handing the victory to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who used state resources and campaigned heavily to eliminate the issues.

The marijuana measure would allow people 21 and over to possess about 3 ounces of marijuana and allow businesses that currently grow and sell medical marijuana to sell it to them. This vote comes at a time when federal officials are beginning to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug.

In September, the Florida Supreme Court issued a ruling allowing voters in the state to decide whether to legalize recreational use of marijuana, rejecting arguments from the state attorney general that the measures should be kept off the November ballot.

The amendment received more than 4.6 million ‘yes’ votes, or 55.9% of the total votes. However, in Florida, the law requires 60% or more votes to pass.

Nebraska, approved

Nebraska voters on Tuesday approved two measures that would create a system for the use and production of medical marijuana if the measures survive ongoing legal challenges.

The vote came after a fierce battle to get the measure on the ballot.

Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana announced earlier this year that it had collected nearly 114,000 signatures each (far more than the approximately 86,000 required) on two petitions: one that would allow marijuana for medical use, the other that would regulate the medical marijuana industry in the state. .

This was the third effort by Nebraskans to put the issue to a vote on Medical Marijuana.

North Dakota rejected

Voters in North Dakota rejected legalizing the recreational possession and use of marijuana.

The legislative measure would legalize recreational marijuana use by people 21 and over in their homes and, where permitted, on the private property of others. The measure also outlines numerous production and processing regulations, prohibited uses in public or in vehicles, and would allow the plants to be grown at home.

The measure would establish maximum purchase and possession quantities of 1 ounce of dried leaves or flower, 4 grams of cannabinoid concentrate, 1,500 milligrams of total THC in cannabis product form, and 300 milligrams of edible product. It will allow cannabis solutions, capsules, transdermal patches, concentrates, topicals and edibles.

North Dakota voters approved medical marijuana in 2016 but rejected recreational initiatives in 2018 and 2022.

South Dakota rejected

South Dakota voters rejected legalizing the recreational use of marijuana in the state.

This is the third time recreational use has been on the ballot.

In 2020, voters passed a measure that was ultimately struck down in court. In 2022, voters defeated another initiative.

The measure would legalize recreational marijuana for people 21 and over. The proposal included limits on possession of up to 2 ounces of marijuana, other than concentrated marijuana or hemp products. The measure also allows plants to be grown with restrictions.