The votes are coming in, and it’s time to see what 2024 means for cannabis lovers like you. From local measures to national policies, this year’s election could be a game-changer for anyone who believes in a little herbal freedom. Whether you’re in a state where weed’s still a bit of a gray area or you’re looking to see expanded rights and better pricing, this election’s outcomes could impact everything from where you buy to how much you’ll pay—and maybe even what you can grow at home.

So, what just happened? We’re breaking down the most important wins and losses in this year’s races, focusing on the stuff that’ll actually make a difference to the cannabis community. From legalization pushes to fresh tax laws, here’s what cannabis voters need to know about the new political landscape. Will 2024 finally be the year cannabis goes fully mainstream? Let’s dig in and see what the results mean for your stash, your rights, and your next dispensary visit.

Florida’s Amendment 3: Not currently passing

With 52% of ballots counted at the time of polls closing, Florida Amendment 3 is not meeting the 60% threshold to pass, according to cannabis news site Marijuana Moment. Amendment 3 is losing 55 to 45% in early returns.

South Dakota cannabis legalization: To be determined

Polls are still closing across the country and we’ll have to wait until later tonight for for more on South Dakota legalization Measure 29.

North Dakota cannabis legalization: To be determined

Polls are still closing across the country and we’ll have to wait until later tonight for for more on North Dakota legalization Measure 5.

Nebraska medical cannabis: To be determined

Polls are still closing across the country and we’ll have to wait until later tonight for for on Nebraska medical cannabis legalization Measure 437.

Oregon pot unions: Too early to tell

Polls close on the West Coast at 8 p.m. PST, after which we’ll have the first returns on Oregon Measure 119 to force pot businesses to obtain pro-union agreements from unions.

Massachusetts psychedelics legalization: To be determined.

Polls close on the East Coast at 8 p.m. EST, after which we’ll have more on the Massachusetts psychedelics legalization Question 4.

State and local races of note

Several state and local races will play a role in spreading cannabis freedom. Among them, Marijuana Moment is tracking three cities in Texas: Dallas, Bastrop, and Lockhart. Legalizing cannabis in cities can percolate up to bigger changes in state capitols.

President of the United States: To be determined

Both candidates have expressed support for legalization, either federally or at the state level. Then again, neither expended political capital to foment cannabis law reform during their prior tenure as President, or Vice-President.

Control of the Senate: To be determined

Despite promises from Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer—the US Senate has blocked cannabis law reform passed by the House. Neither party has passed legalization in the Senate when they held power over it. It’s unclear exactly how either party controlling the Senate would result in gains for cannabis voters.

Control of the House of Representatives: To be determined

Numerous flavors of cannabis law reform have passed out of the House under both Democrat and Republican control. But they’ve died in the Senate. The parties are split on legalization over things like taxes, banking, regulations, special treatment for certain groups, and other facets of winding down the war on weed.

State lawmakers have scheduled a hearing later this month to kick start an effort to update the laws directing the embattled Cannabis Control Commission after more than a year of turbulence.

The Bay State’s Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy has scheduled an informational hearing for Wednesday, October 30, over “reconsideration” of the law which created both the state’s bustling marijuana industry and the CCC, responsible for the day-to-day business of regulating Massachusetts’ largest cash crop.

“The Committee will be inviting various Massachusetts cannabis industry stakeholders to testify. Of chief concern are the matters of responsibility for agency operations and proper channels of accountability within the agency structure,” the committee wrote in announcing the hearing.

Read the rest of this story on BostonHerald.com.

Listen up, stoners, it’s time to register and vote. Lord knows the people that want to put you in a cage will be. If you like weed, and being left alone—you got two things to do:

Twenty-four states already have legal cannabis—three more could join them. Here’s what’s at stake.

Florida cannabis legalization

Florida Amendment 3 will need every cannabis-lover and then some to reach 60% percent of the vote—the threshold to approve weed legalization in the Sunshine State.

Amendment 3 fully legalizes holding up 3 ounces of bud and 5 grams of concentrate—ending some 66,000 arrests per year and generating hundreds of millions in court savings and tax revenue. All Florida medical dispensaries could sell to adult-use consumers.

The deadline to Register to Vote in Florida is October 7, 2024. Register now. Even if you think you’re registered, check your voter status.

Everyone from singer Miguel to former President Trump has endorsed the measure. But far-left and far-right extremes—from Gov. Ron DeSantis to the most conspiratorial tokers—say Amendment 3 either goes too far or not far enough.

Florida’s powerful, entrenched Republicans have also made it harder to vote. In 2022, Gov. Ron DeSantis canceled all standing vote-by-mail requests.

According to the Tallahassee Democrat, the GOP-led Florida Legislature has ripped out mail-in ballot boxes, added new voter ID rules, and deterred voter registration. For example, you must request to vote-by-mail every voting cycle, instead of once every 4 years.

“Voter rolls may now be purged annually, you should check your voter status every year well in time to address it before any voting deadlines.”

The deadline to Register to Vote in Florida is October 7, 2024. Register now.

The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot is Thursday, Oct. 24. Even if you think you’re registered, check your voter status.

South Dakota cannabis legalization

South Dakota will again vote on legalization. Measure 29 legalizes 2 ounces, 16 grams of hash, and 1600 milligrams of THC in edibles. You could grow up to 12 plants per household. A May poll showed Measure 29 losing with only 41.8% of the vote. 

The deadline to register to vote in South Dakota is October 21, so do it now. 

Already registered? Check your registration status.

North Dakota cannabis legalization

North Dakota will again vote on legalization. Measure 5 legalizes 1 ounce of cannabis, 4 grams of hash, and 300 mg edibles, plus up to 6 plants in a household. You don’t have to register to vote in North Dakota. 

You can check your voting info in North Dakota here.

Nebraska medical weed

Nebraska could legalize medical cannabis with Initiative 438. A yes repeals medical weed prohibition in Nebraska, and regulates the medical cannabis trade. So far 38 states have medical cannabis. 

The deadline to register to vote in Nebraska is October 18, so do it today. 

Already registered? Double-check that voter status—like a boss.

Oregon pot unions

A union-funded measure to increase unions in the Oregon cannabis industry is on the ballot. Current law already allows unions at pot businesses. Oregon Measure 119 mandates each cannabis business sign a ‘labor peace agreement’ or lose their license. The deadline to register to vote in Oregon is Oct. 15.

Psychedelics legalization

Massachusetts psychedelics legalization

Massachusetts Question 4 would legalize psychedelics for adults 21 and up, as well as tax them, and create an Advisory Board. 

You could grow “any plant, fungus, or preparation containing” DMT, mescaline, ibogaine, or psilocybin. And you could possess 1 gram of DMT, 18 grams of mescaline, 30 grams of ibogaine, 1 gram of psilocybin, and 1 gram of psilocyn. You could also grow said plants or fungus in a 12 by 12-foot area. 

Massachusetts ‘shroom legalization is on track to fail with 42% support.

You have to register to vote in Massachusetts by Oct. 26. Already registered? Check your status.

State and local races

Act and vote locally to have the most impact. Local city council members and county supervisors will decide if your town can have a dispensary, or allow licensed farms.

State representatives and state senators decide how high your taxes will be, or if you can have a cannabis lounge.

NORML voter guides

NORML has a solid combined national and state voter guide— just pop in your full zip code and get a voter guide.

New Hampshire guide from Marijuana Policy Project 

Furthermore, Marijuana Policy Project made a guide for New Hampshire voters who want to pick pro-reform candidates. New Hampshire is a prohibition state with no initiative process, so voters have to pick a governor and legislators to advance their rights.

More weed and psychedelics voter guides to check out

A raft of groups have gathered up election info for you to digest. Check out voter guides from:

NORML—pop in your full zip code and get a voter guide.

Americans for Safer Access—You can hold local and state candidates’ feet to the fire of reform with ASA’s “Compassionate Candidate” questionnaire.

Even better—ASA has a toolkit to help you track your candidates, get a meeting with them, and brief them on compassionate reforms they can pledge to uphold.

Ballotpedia—Ballotpedia does a bang-up job briefing voters on 2024 ballot measures.

OK, we’ll add more resources as we find them. Be sure to register and vote— because pot prohibitionists certainly will be.