Election 2024 results: Marijuana measures fail in 3 states

WASHINGTON - Marijuana laws were once again on the ballot in a handful of states this year. 

Though still illegal under federal law, public approval of marijuana has grown significantly. Prior to this election, 24 states had legalized recreational marijuana, with Ohio voters doing so most recently in November 2023.

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

Here’s what voters in these four states decided about marijuana use: 

Florida: rejected

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

The marijuana measure would have allowed people 21 years old and older to possess about 3 ounces of marijuana, and it would have allowed businesses already growing and selling medical marijuana to sell it to them. This vote came at a time when federal officials are moving to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug.

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

The amendment pulled in over 4.6 million ‘yes’ votes, or 55.9% of the total vote. But Florida requires amendments to pull 60% or more to pass.

Nebraska, approved

Nebraska voters approved two measures Tuesday that will create a system for the use and manufacture of medical marijuana, if the measures survive an ongoing legal challenge. 

The vote came after an uphill battle to get the measure on the ballot. 

Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana announced earlier this year that it had gathered about 114,000 signatures — well more than the approximately 86,000 needed — for each of two petitions: one that would allow marijuana for medical use and the other to regulate the medical marijuana industry in the state.

It was the third effort by Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana to get the issue on the ballot.

North Dakota, rejected

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

The statutory measure would legalize recreational marijuana for people 21 and older to use at their homes and, if permitted, on others’ private property. The measure also outlines numerous production and processing regulations, prohibited uses — such as in public or in vehicles — and would allow home cultivation of plants.

The measure would set maximum purchase and possession amounts of 1 ounce of dried leaves or flowers, 4 grams of a cannabinoid concentrate, 1,500 milligrams of total THC in the form of a cannabis product and 300 milligrams of an edible product. It would allow cannabis solutions, capsules, transdermal patches, concentrates, topical and edible products.

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

South Dakota, rejected

South Dakota voters rejected legalizing 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 which was ultimately struck down in court. In 2022, voters defeated another attempt.

The measure would have legalized recreational marijuana for people 21 and older. The proposal included possession limits of up to 2 ounces of marijuana in a form other than concentrated cannabis or cannabis products. The measure also allows cultivation of plants, with restrictions.