Marijuana legalization fails in Florida as numerous states pass citizen voting rights amendments

By David A. Lieb, Associated Press

A costly campaign to legalize recreational marijuana in Florida failed Tuesday as voters in dozens of states weighed more than 140 measures that appeared on the ballot, in addition to races for president and top state offices.

Florida was one of many states that decided on high-profile marijuana measures and was among the ten states considering it amendments regarding abortion or reproductive rights. About 20 measures target future elections, including some that specifically ban non-citizens from voting. Other state measures impact wages, taxes, housing and education, including a school choice measure that was defeated in Kentucky.

Many of the ballot measures were initiated by citizen petitions bypassing the state legislature, although others were submitted to voters by lawmakers.

Legalization of marijuana

Florida’s marijuana amendment fell short of the 60% supermajority needed to approve constitutional amendments. It would have allowed recreational sales of marijuana to people over 21 from existing medical marijuana dispensaries, with the potential for the Legislature to license additional retailers.

The campaign was funded primarily by Trulieve, Florida’s largest medical marijuana operator, which had provided nearly $145 million of the $153 million campaign through the end of October. The measure was opposed by the Republican Party of Florida and Governor Ron DeSantis, who said it would reduce the quality of life by leaving a marijuana stench in the air.

Voters in North Dakota and South Dakota are also deciding whether to legalize recreational marijuana for adults. The election marks the third vote on the issue in both states. In Nebraska, voters are considering a few measures that would legalize medical marijuana and regulate the industry.

Currently about half the states allow recreational marijuana and about a dozen others allow medical marijuana. Possessing or selling marijuana remains a crime under federal law, punishable by jail time and fines.

In Massachusetts, a ballot measure would legalize the possession and controlled use of natural psychedelics, including psilocybin mushrooms. It would be the third state to do this, Oregon to followAnd Colorado.

Citizens’ votes

Constitutional amendments that explain that only citizens can votereceived approval in Iowa, Kentucky, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Wisconsin. They are also being considered in Idaho and Missouri. All measures were referred to a vote by Republican-led lawmakers.

A 1996 U.S. law bans noncitizens from voting in federal elections, and many states already have similar laws. But Republicans have emphasized this the potential of non-citizens voting after an influx of immigrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. Although voting by non-citizens has historically been rare, voter rolls are reviewed before elections marked potential non-citizens registered in several states.

Some municipalities in California, Maryland, Vermont, and Washington, D.C. allow non-residents to vote in certain local elections.

Sports betting

In Colorado, where sports betting launched in 2020, voters approved a measure allowing the state to keep more than the original $29 million limit in sports betting tax revenue.

Meanwhile, Missouri voters are deciding whether they will be last legalize sports betting. A total of 38 states and Washington DC allow sports bettingwhich has expanded rapidly since the U.S. Supreme Court paved the way for that in 2018.

Minimum wage

Arizona voters rejected a measure that would have allowed tipped workers to be paid 25% less than the minimum wage, as long as tipped workers raised their total wages above the minimum wage threshold. In Massachusetts, by contrast, voters were weighing in a measure that would gradually increase the minimum wage for tipped employees until it matches the rate for other employees.

Elsewhere, ballot measures in Missouri and Alaska would gradually raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, while also requiring paid sick leave. A measure from California would gradually increase the minimum wage for all employers to $18 per hour.

A Nebraska measure would require many employers to offer sick leave but would not change wages.

Voting methods

Voters in Washington, D.C., have approved a measure that will allow ranked-choice voting in future elections.

Ranked choice voting is currently used in Alaska and Maine. But Alaska voters are considering it whether it should be withdrawn provisions of a 2020 initiative that established open primaries and ranked-choice general elections.

Measures in Montana and South Dakota would create open primaries in which candidates from all parties appear on the same ballot, with a certain number advancing to the general election. Measures in Colorado, Idaho and Nevada also propose open primaries with candidates from all parties, with a certain number advancing to a general election using ranked choice. An Oregon measure would require ranked-choice voting in both the primary and general elections.

Arizona voters are choosing between competing ballot propositions that would require either open primaries with candidates from all parties or the current state method of partisan primaries. If contradictory measures both succeed, the provision that receives the most votes will take effectbut that may be up to the judge to decide.

Voters in Connecticut are considering whether that is the case authorize no-excuse absentee votingand joins most states that already allow it.

Immigration

A measure from Arizona It would become a state crime for entry from abroad other than through official ports of entry, and for someone already in the U.S. illegally to apply for public benefits using forged documents.

Taxes

A proposal from Colorado would make it the second state after California to impose a sales tax on firearms and ammunition, with the revenue going primarily to crime victim services. The federal government already taxes the sale of guns and ammunition.

North Dakota voters is considering a measure abolish property taxes. If approved, local governments could need more than $3 billion in replacement revenue from the state every two years.

A measure in South Dakota would repeal the state’s sales tax on groceries, a measure already taken in most other states.

An Oregon measure would increase the minimum tax on large corporations to fund a tax credit for residents.

Housing

California voters are deciding whether to repeal a 1995 law that limits local rent control ordinances. If approved, it would clear the way for local governments to expand restrictions on the rates landlords can charge.

A unique proposal in Arizona ties property taxes to answers to homelessness. It would allow property owners to seek reimbursement for property taxes if they incur costs because a local government refused to enforce ordinances against illegal camping, loitering, begging, public alcohol and drug use and other matters.

Climate

Voters in Washington state are considering this whether a 2021 law should be repealed which limits CO2 emissions and creates a market for companies that cross the border to buy emission allowances from others. Washington was the second state after California to launch such a program.

Redistribution

An Ohio initiative would create a citizen commission to handle reapportionment of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and states, taking the job away from elected officials.

Assisted suicide

West Virginia voters are deciding whether to amend the state constitution to ban medically assisted suicide. The measure would conflict with 10 states and Washington, D.C., where physician-assisted suicide is allowed.