The 2020 election is approaching quicker than I feel comfortable with, and if you’re living in one of a handful of states, one of the many issues on the ballot may be if you can light up legally. Weed, I’m talking about weed. Already, 33 states and the District of Columbia allow marijuana for medicinal use, and 11 of these states (including D.C.) have also legalized marijuana for recreational use. Coming up on November 3rd, five more states will vote on whether not to legalize recreational cannabis and to allow it for medicinal use. As of now, the polls indicate that this measure will pass in these five states below, but here’s everything you need to know about which states are voting to legalize weed this cycle.
Arizona
Since 2011, medicinal cannabis has been legalized in Arizona, but now they are looking to see if it will be legalized recreationally. I mean, nine years later you would think this would get passed by now! If this goes through, The Smart and Safe Arizona Act will legalize the use of cannabis for adults, and residents will be allowed to have up to one ounce of cannabis and five grams of THC concentrate, AND grow up to six cannabis plants in their household. Back in 2016, the polls were 51-48, and recently 62% of Arizonians support legalization. If you ask us, the polls are looking pretty good!
Mississippi
Being one of the most conservative states in the country, Mississippi is looking to legalize medicinal use. This seems like a long shot, but it looks like the polls are doing well. According to the state, Initiative 65 will allow cannabis to be prescribed to treat many medical conditions. The polls now show that 81% of residents are supporting this, so we’re thinking it’s going to pass. This support is probably bolstered by the fact that not only are there medical benefits, but apparently there are also economic benefits!
Montana
Montana voters accepted medicinal cannabis back in 2004, but now we are going to see if it will be approved for recreational use. The deets on this, according to Montana I-190, would be to permit selling and possessing for adult use. Residents would be allowed to have up to four cannabis plants and up to four seedlings in their homes. While some of the polls are pointing to a yes vote, a recent poll from Montana State University found that only 49% of voters support the recreational legalization—only time will tell.
New Jersey
New Jersey will be looking into recreational use, as it has already been approved for medicinal use since 2010. If it’s approved, the New Jersey Public Question 1 will legalize the sale and possession of cannabis for adults (21 and over). Even though this measure failed to pass in 2018, it’s looking like it’ll pass this time around since recent polling has found that 65% of voters are in favor, while just 29% are opposed. Second time’s the charm..?
South Dakota
This state in particular is looking to approve cannabis for both medicinal and recreational purposes. According to a poll released back in September, a majority of voters support both measures. The ballot will have two legalization measures: the South Dakota Initiated Measure 26 will allow doctors to prescribe cannabis to patients for many conditions and will also allow recreational use for adults. It’ll be interesting to see how this one unfolds!
As more people continue to vote in the coming days, we will see which of these states will pass on legalizing weed. So on November 3rd, we will be finding out which states will be weed-free AND who our president will be for the next four years…yikes!
Images: ImagePixel / Shutterstock.com
There’s a lot of irritating trends out there right now, but the over-the-top “gender reveal party” is one we can hope fizzles out soon. Not only does it worship the gender binary, but it also forces all your friends and family to shell out more money for yet another party involving your pregnancy. There are only so many tiny socks and penguin onesies to give, people!
In case you aren’t bitter, though, and love parties designed to frustrate well-meaning bakers everywhere, gender reveal parties can be adorable and exciting excuses to celebrate a new addition to the family. Or, at least this is what a U.S. Border Patrol Agent named Dennis Dickey thought…
Dickey, 37, of Arizona pleaded guilty in federal court in September for igniting a colossal wildfire that started as an elaborate stunt to announce that his wife was having a son. According to authorities, the “sawmill fire” in April 2017 destroyed more than 45,000 acres of land. What it worth it, Dickey? Because you could’ve just gone for cupcakes, confetti, balloons, paintballs, or I don’t know, literally anything else. In a video obtained by the U.S. Forest Service through the Freedom of Information Act, a display with “boy girl” is shot, blue smoke emerges and then a full on fire erupts.
Even before the display is shot, it’s clear that there is a ton of dry brush, sticks, and grass at this gender reveal/arson party. I’m not a Boy Scout, but I’m pretty sure it’s not safe to set off explosives when you’re surrounded by a field of thirsty wood. According to the Justice Department, the cause of the fire was a (surprise!) highly explosive substance called Tannerite that Dickey placed inside the display and then shot with a rifle. In case you missed it before, this man is also a U.S. Border Patrol Agent. Are you feeling safe yet?
When he was sentenced to five years of probation in October, Dickey agreed to pay $100,000 and another $120,000 in monthly payments of $500 over twenty years. In other words, when Dickey’s son is about to celebrate his 21st birthday, Dickey will hopefully have learned his lesson about expensive and dangerous party mistakes. Better luck next time, Dickey, maybe things would’ve turned out better if the smoke had been pink…
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