More states could celebrate 4/20 every day as marijuana legalization pushes forward
The use and possession of marijuana is illegal under U.S. federal law, but 24 states and the District of Columbia have legalized the drug for recreational purposes, according to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), an advocacy group that tracks state-level legislation on the issue. 38 states and the District of Columbia have regulated cannabis for medical use.
According to a Pew Research Center survey, an overwhelming majority of adults (88%) say either that marijuana should be legal for medical use only (32%) or that it should be legal for medical and recreational use (57%).
Where does the nation stand on marijuana use?
5 states are moving toward legalizing recreational marijuana in 2024
Florida
Smart & Safe Florida collected more than 1 million petition signatures to get a measure legalizing “non-medical personal use of marijuana products and marijuana accessories by an adult” on the ballot. On April 1, the state’s Supreme Court approved the constitutional amendment know as Amendment 3. In November, voters will be able to decide whether recreational marijuana will be available in Florida to anyone 21 or older. But for the proposal to become law, it require at least 60% of the vote.
Hawaii
Hawaii’s state Senate passed a bill in March to legalize recreational marijuana by Jan 1, 2026. Senators approved the measure 19-6. Hawaii’s Gov. Josh Green said he would sign the bill into law, but the bill is expected to meet challenges in the House.
New Hampshire
A bill passed by the New Hampshire House on April 11 has again endorsed legalizing marijuana and would allow its use by adults. The bill now heads to the state Senate, where it has never been voted on. Last May, Gov Chris Sununu said he now supports legalizing recreational marijuana. “Knowing that a majority of our residents support legalization, it is reasonable to assume change is inevitable,” Sununu said. “To ignore this reality would be shortsighted and harmful. That is why, with the right policy and framework in place, I stand ready to sign a legalization bill that puts the state of New Hampshire in the driver’s seat, focusing on harm reduction − not profits.”
Pennsylvania
In early February, Democratic Gov. Josh Shaprio, in his state budget pitch, called for the Pennsylvania Legislature to legalize marjjuana. A bill is now being considered by state lawmakers, according to Florida Today and SpotlightPA
South Dakota
For the third time, South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws will try to put marijuana legalization on the ballot. The group needs to submit 17,508 signatures by May 7 to put marijuana legalization on the ballot for a vote Nov. 5. They were successful in getting the initiative on the ballot in 2020, but it was later overturned by the state Supreme Court. Measure 27 was defeated in 2022 in the midterm elections.