Trim Daddy’s 2020 Cannabis Voter’s Guide

As November quickly approaches - even more so because time doesn’t feel real in quarantine - it’s time for us to get up to speed on potential cannabis legislation and educate ourselves on everything we’re up against.

While Trim Daddy hails from the bay, we gotta show love to bros in different area codes and make sure we’re all on the same page when it comes to the ballot.

This election cycle, six states will have the chance to adopt new medical and/or recreational cannabis laws - Arizona, Montana, New Jersey, South Dakota, Nebraskaand Mississippi. 

The first four of the above states will be voting on legal recreational use, while South Dakota, Nebraska and Mississippi are voting on medical marijuana legalization.

Currently, 11 out of the 35 states in which cannabis has been legalized allow for its recreational use for adults 21 and over.

Here are the measures by state involving cannabis that you should be looking out for:

ARIZONA

According to CNN, the Smart and Safe Arizona Act “would allow adults 21 years and older to possess, consume or transfer up to one ounce of cannabis and create a regulatory system for the products' cultivation and sale. Some key differences with the new measure include the addition of social equity provisions and criminal justice reforms such as record expungement.”

This act would open the door for more job opportunities and increase the state’s overall wellbeing, with community colleges and addiction prevention programs being on the receiving end of the funding.

If passed, the Smart and Safe Act would generate $3 billion of revenue for the state within the first 10 years.

In addition, those who have previous low-level marijuana charges will have equal access to fair jobs and housing.

MONTANA

Similar to the above act, revenue generated from ballot issue I-190 would go towards state improvement programs like substance abuse and veteran’s services.

“ I-190 would allow adults in the state to possess, buy and use cannabis for recreational use. A separate initiative, CI-118, would establish 21 as the legal age to purchase, possess and consume cannabis.”

These two initiatives do not oppose each other, but work in tandem. Because the Montana Constitution defines an adult as an individual 18 years or older, CI-118 must appropriately define these regulations.

NEW JERSEY

A “yes” vote on Public Question 1 supports the constitutional amendment to legalize the possession and use of marijuana for persons age 21 and older and legalize the cultivation, processing and sale of retail marijuana.

While the state prohibits specific marjuana excise taxes, marijuana sales would fall under the standard 6.625% state tax.

According to Leafly, “If the amendment passes, New Jersey will become the first mid-Atlantic state to legalize adult-use cannabis.”

Although the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act has been around since 2010, state governor Chris Christie has always been an active opponent of marijuana legalization.

A few aspects of the New Jersey Marijuana Legalization Amendment to note are as follows:

• Would create an online portal allowing those who have marjuana convictions to expunge their record
• Would prevent landlords, employers and the like from discriminating against those with marijuana convictions

According to CNN, “The passage of recreational cannabis in New Jersey could accelerate legislative efforts in neighboring New York and Pennsylvania.”

SOUTH DAKOTA

According to the Marijuana Policy Project, South Dakota will become the first state to vote on medical marijuana and adult-use legalization at the same time.

On their website, the Marijuana Policy Project defines themselves as the “number one organization in the U.S. legalizing cannabis.”

Because marijuana legalization historically hasn’t been the smoothest process, the mission of the MPP is to shed light on campaigns that aid these efforts and advocate legislation for a more balanced and smarter system.

Due to South Dakota’s conservative majority, laws surrounding marijuana possession are extremely harsh. If caught with even a small amount, you could be faced with a $2,000 fine and up to a year in jail. In addition, the state’s racial disparities in possession rates are among the top 10 in the country.

If marijuana possession was treated as a civil offense rather than a criminal one, we would be one step closer to eliminating jail time for these individuals.

A medical marijuana program and registration system is on this year’s ballot for the state, for those who fit the requirements. Amendment A “would legalize cannabis for all adults and require state legislators to adopt medical cannabis and hemp laws.”

A program like this is still needed because although residents of South Dakota have legal access to CBD, this is not the solution for all medical marijuana patients.

NEBRASKA

On September 10, the Nebraska Supreme Court removed the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Constitutional Amendment from the ballot. The amendment would have allowed adults 18 years or older with debilitating conditions to receive medical marijuana from their healthcare provider.

Possession is illegal in the state, but Nebraska is one of 26 states that offers protections for first-time offenders.

Because of the high demand for medical marijuana in the state, this removal of the amendment from the ballot is devastating for advocates and patients alike.

MISSISSIPPI

While other states have amendments that would complement each other, Mississippi faces two competing measures. 

Like South Dakota, a potential medical cannabis program would allow patients with up to 22 qualifying conditions the ability to participate.

On the other hand, “the competing measure requires medical products that are of pharmaceutical quality, limits the smoking of medical cannabis to people who are terminally ill, and leaves the future creation of rules and a regulatory framework up to the legislature,” according to CNN.

Check out https://www.cannabisvoter.info/ to ensure you’re registered to vote and learn more about election rules!

While you’re not educating yourself on everything you need to know come November, shop Trim Daddy today and receive 10% off your first order.

See you at the polls,

xoxo Trim Daddy

The MORE Act

After Covid-19 laid thousands of Americans off, new jobs and revenue are exactly what these states need, even more than they did four years prior.

And if you needed a little more clarification on the presidential candidates’ stances, keep reading.

JOE BIDEN:

DONALD TRUMP: