This Is How Marijuana Laws Changed After the Midterm Elections
During the midterm elections, marijuana legalization was included on the ballots in four states: Michigan, North Dakota, Utah, and Missouri. Michigan and North Dakota voted to make marijuana legal for recreational purposes, with Michigan handing over the initiative and North Dakota ultimately voting no. Utah and Missouri voted to offer or not offer medical marijuana, and both states approved the measures.
So what does this mean to you? Here’s a rundown of what the voices mean in each state. Keep in mind that these laws must be implemented, so the fact that they are passed does not mean that you can catch fire now. You will need to wait to see what dates each state releases for implementation in your area (think early 2019):
Michigan
Michigan’s vote makes it the 10th state in the United States to legalize marijuana for recreational use. Under the new measure, marijuana will be regulated in the state as alcohol, which means that people under the age of 21 will be prohibited from buying or using drugs.
As with tobacco, renters and business owners can decide whether they will allow marijuana to be smoked on their business or property. So just because it’s legal doesn’t mean you can light up in your apartment or in a bar around the corner. Smoking in public places, such as on the street in front of this bar, will be illegal. Local municipalities can also choose whether to allow marijuana dispensaries or set the number of dispensaries that will be permitted in a particular area.
People who were arrested for possession of marijuana in the past will not be pardoned by law, but now anyone over the age of 21 can have up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana or 15 grams of marijuana concentrate. Residents are also allowed to grow up to 12 marijuana plants and store up to 10 ounces of marijuana from these plants in their home, provided it is locked.
Marijuana sales in the state will be subject to a 10 percent excise tax.
Utah
In Utah, you need a doctor’s prescription if you want to buy marijuana, and marijuana health cards are only available to people with certain qualifications. For example, patients with HIV / AIDS, patients with multiple sclerosis, and patients with chronic pain and risk of opioid dependence may be qualified.
Utah patients will still be unable to light these joints. This measure bans the smoking of marijuana and instead only allows vaping and food. Purchases will be limited to two ounces of unprocessed herb over a two-week period.
Doctors in the state are not allowed to own or work at a medical cannabis dispensary, nor are they allowed to prescribe marijuana for more than 20 percent of their patients. Thus, you are unlikely to see doctors specializing in marijuana emerge.
Government officials will also be responsible for licensing medical marijuana growers and dispensaries.
Missouri
Missouri contributed three marijuana cultivation initiatives to the newsletter and passed Amendment 2 to allow medical marijuana availability in the state. With the new law, residents will be able to buy four ounces of cannabis from a pharmacy every month, provided they receive a government-issued ID, which requires a doctor’s prescription.
Unlike Utah, Missouri doctors can prescribe marijuana for any disease or disorder they like. Government regulators will also offer licenses to medical marijuana pharmacies and other businesses. Medical marijuana in Missouri will be taxed 4 percent on money earmarked for military veterans.
Where is marijuana legal now?
Marijuana is currently legal for recreational purposes in California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington. Each state has its own possession laws as well as a taxation structure for drugs.
Marijuana is medically available in 31 states . Many states that do not allow medical marijuana do allow CBD oil, which is obtained from marijuana plants without the presence of THC, a psychoactive component found in cannabis.