States That Could Legalize Weed in 2022

In 2022, we expect a wide range of cannabis reform initiatives to make it to the November ballot. Cannabis advocates across the country are leading several signature-gathering campaigns before the deadlines. In addition, lawmakers are working to move reform proposals forward. 2022 may be a landmark year for cannabis reform. Here is what to expect.

States That Could Legalize Weed in 2022

Arkansas

In 2020, Arkansas's legalization efforts fizzled after the coronavirus pandemic's onset. In 2022, Arkansas voters may decide between two cannabis proposals, both of which need to collect 89,151 signatures by July 8, 2022. One proposal would decriminalize cannabis, set up cannabis regulations, and provide limited legal protection to cannabis businesses.

The Arkansas True Grass group will attempt, once more, to gather the required signatures needed to put their initiative on the November 2022 ballot. Under this proposal, sales of up to four ounces of cannabis and cultivation of up to 12 plants would be legal for adults 21 and older.

Delaware

In Delaware, Rep. Ed Osienski (D) introduced HB 305, a proposal to legalize adult-use cannabis. Now, the bill must be considered by the House Health and Human Development committee. HB 305 would legalize possession of up to one ounce of cannabis and promote social justice and equity reform in the industry.

Florida

Florida voters may have a chance to expand the state’s medical cannabis program under two initiatives: Initiative 18-02 and Initiative 18-05. 

Initiative 18-02 would add nine debilitating medical conditions to the state’s list of qualifying conditions for medical cannabis use. Medical conditions include bipolar disorder, anorexia, panic disorder, opioid use disorder, and more.

Initiative 18-05 would legalize cannabis cultivation for medical cannabis patients and caregivers. Under the initiative, patients and caregivers would be able to grow up to nine mature flowering plants at home.

Hawaii

Hawaii’s Senate approved SB 767 and SB 758 in early 2021, but the proposals were stalled in the House. SB 767 would legalize retail cannabis sales and cultivation of up to three plants at home. SB 758 would decriminalize possession of up to one ounce instead of the current three-gram limit. In 2022, consideration of these proposals will resume when the legislature reassembles.

Idaho

In 2020, Kind Idaho had to stop their signature-gathering after the coronavirus pandemic started in the U.S. This year, the group has filed a proposal to create a medical cannabis program. Voters may also vote on an initiative, sponsored by the Idaho Way, to legalize adult-use cannabis. Both groups need to collect 64,945 valid signatures by May 1, 2022.

Kansas

The Kansas House of Representatives passed a bill that would legalize medical cannabis. When the legislature reassembles in early 2022, the Senate is set to consider the bill.

Maryland

In 2021, bills to legalize cannabis were proposed in the House and Senate. Maryland legislators are considering placing a bill for voters to legalize adult-use cannabis on the November 2022 ballot. Lawmakers announced they would focus on equity for communities most harmed by the war on drugs.

Mississippi

In early January 2022, the Mississippi House approved a medical cannabis bill. If the bill moves past the Senate and gets the governor’s signature, the medical cannabis program could launch in 2022.

Missouri

In Missouri, voters may vote on three adult-use cannabis initiatives in November 2022. Initiatives must obtain 160,199 valid signatures by the deadline on May 8, 2022.

In addition, a separate proposal would legalize cannabis cultivation for medical patients, reduce the patient identification card fee from $100 to $25, and allow a medical cannabis patient to have up to three caregivers.

Nebraska

In Nebraska, four initiatives are vying to collect enough signatures before the July 7, 2022 deadline. Three initiatives (one constitutional amendment and two state statutes) would legalize medical cannabis use. Another initiative, filed by the Nebraska Hemp Company, would legalize adult-use cannabis.

New Hampshire

In Newhampshire, six initiatives to legalize cannabis are aiming to get on the November ballot. Recently, HB 237 was defeated in the state House of Representatives. HB 629, which would legalize possession and home cultivation of cannabis, was approved early in January 2022 by the House. Now, it must be considered by the Senate.

North Carolina

In North Carolina, a medical cannabis bill may be considered by the legislature this year. The proposal would legalize medical cannabis for conditions like PTSD, HIV/AIDS, and cancer. The bill needs to go to the Senate for approval.

North Dakota

In North Dakota, filed by Jody Vetter, is collecting signatures for the required 26,904 valid signatures before the deadline. Under the initiative, residents 21 years of age and older would be allowed to possess, grow, process, or transport up to 12 cannabis plants for personal use. In 2018, voters rejected Measure 3, which would legalize cannabis.

Oklahoma

Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action has three initiatives in the works. State Question 818 would replace the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority and create the State Cannabis Commission. State Question 819 would legalize cannabis for persons 21 years old and older and establish a 15% excise tax on retail (non-medical) cannabis sales.

Ohio

In Ohio, the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol recently submitted 29,918 additional signatures to the Secretary of State to reach its signature requirement for its legalization initiative. Earlier in the month, the group submitted over 200,000 signatures but only 119,825 were valid.

If the additional signatures are valid, the proposal will be put up for a vote in the Ohio legislature. If the measure is rejected or lawmakers do not proceed within four months, advocates must go through another round of signature gathering to get it on the 2022 ballot.

Under the proposal, cannabis possession of up to 2.5 ounces and cultivation of up to six plants per person will be legalized. The measure would also include provisions for expungement of nonviolent cannabis offenses.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island’s General Assembly has announced they may pass a law to legalize cannabis in 2022. In 2021, Governor McKee introduced an initiative to legalize cannabis. State lawmakers also proposed a legalization bill in 2021. While the bill was passed in the Senate, it stalled in the House.

South Carolina

South Carolina legislators may vote on the South Carolina Compassionate Care Act, legalizing medical cannabis. The Senate will begin its consideration of the bill early in 2022.

South Dakota

In 2020, state voters approved Amendment A, legalizing cannabis, but the supreme court overturned the measure due to technical violations of the state constitution. The New Approach South Dakota group filed a measure for 2022 to legalize cannabis sales for individuals 21 years and older. Now, they must gather the necessary valid signatures.

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