Over the past few years, we have seen more states legalizing medical marijuana and in 2022, these 8 states might legalize marijuana too!
8 States That Might Legalize Marijuana in 2022
In 2021, Connecticut, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia legalized the adult use of marijuana. So as we started out 2022, eighteen states have fully legalized medical marijuana –
- Maine
- Vermont
- New York
- Massachusetts
- Connecticut
- New Jersey
- Virginia
- Michigan
- Illinois
- Montana
- Washington
- Oregon
- California
- Nevada
- Arizona
- New Mexico
- Alaska
- Colorado
As we look further into the year, more states are stepping up to legalize marijuana, eight states in particular are on the forefront of making it legal this year.
8 States That Might Legalize Marijuana in 2022
Arkansas
There are multiple campaigns in play this year to legalize marijuana in Arkansas.
Arkansas True Grass is gathering signatures for a 2022 ballot initiative that would allow adults age 21 or older to purchase up to four ounces of cannabis and grow up to 12 plants for personal use.
Arkansas for Marijuana Reform also filed a marijuana reform initiative in November 2021.
Additionally, newly formed group – Responsible Growth Arkansas – has been formed to advocate for marijuana legalization.
Ohio
Lawmakers in Ohio are working toward cannabis legalization after gathering enough signatures for marijuana legalization. If the legislation passes, it would legalize the possession of 2.5 ounces of cannabis for adults 21 and older, and allow for the possession of 15 grams of marijuana concentrates. Individuals could also have possession grow up to six plants for personal use and have up to twelve plants per household.
Another bill was also introduced to legislature in Ohio that would legalize the possession, sale and cultivation of cannabis by adults.
In addition to these two efforts there have been multiple other efforts to legalize the use of marijuana in Ohio.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma currently has two campaigns in play to legalize marijuana in the state as well as rework the existing medical marijuana program. The most recent campaign is supported by the national New Approach PAC after the 2020 approach to legalization failed due to a lack of signatures.
South Carolina
Currently South Carolina is working on pushing through a medical marijuana initiative. Sen. Tom Davis (R) is championing the effort and is confident that the initiative will be championed as the first order of business. The initiative itself would allow patients with qualifying conditions to possess and purchase up to two ounces of cannabis every two weeks.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island is one of the states that is closest to marijuana legalization. The initiative to legalize marijuana in Rhode Island has already been approved by the senate (last year). A draft of the legislation has been refined but continues to be slowed by the question of who will head and control the program once approved.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, DC is unlike other states when it comes to legalization of marijuana since the law prevented them from using tax dollars in the legalization of marijuana even though the legalization of marijuana has been voted for. The state rider preventing this is set to be removed this year.
Additionally, Washington DC is also working on making changes to their current medical marijuana program.
South Dakota
In 2020, South Dakota approved the legalization of marijuana in the state, but the South Dakota Supreme Court ruled that a voter-approved 2020 marijuana legalization initiative was invalid on procedural grounds. Advocates are continuing to push the reform and are expected to enact the reform this year.
The state already has a medical marijuana initiative in play that was approved in 2020 but didn’t take effect until July, 2021. Unlike the marijuana legalization initiative, the medical marijuana initiative was not challenged.
Hawaii
Last year a bill cleared the Hawaii senate to legalize medical marijuana and it is expected that the bill will be taken up again this year. The reason for the bill being postponed is largely down to House Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee Chairman Mark Nakashima (D) who has stated a need to reform the current medical marijuana program before focusing on legalizing marijuana.
Looking For a Medical Marijuana Doctor in Florida?
If you live in or around Cape Coral in Florida and are looking for a reputable medical marijuana doctor to help with your prescription medical marijuana, Dr. Tirmal at The Medical Marijuana Doctor can help! Just start by filling in our easy free online medical marijuana consultation form.