Will 2024 Be the Year America Finally Legalizes Weed? These Elections Could Change Everything!

The 2024 elections could mark a pivotal moment in the long battle for federal cannabis legalization. As voters head to the polls, the outcomes of gubernatorial and Senate races may determine whether federal cannabis reform, long stalled in Congress, finally comes to fruition.

The Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), a leading voice in cannabis reform, has released comprehensive voter guides aimed at educating the public on where candidates stand regarding cannabis policy.

Karen O’Keefe, MPP’s director of state policies, emphasized the importance of these elections in shaping cannabis policy for years to come: “Our goal is to educate voters on where candidates stand on cannabis policy reform so that they can cast informed votes.”

This year, 11 states will elect new governors, who wield significant influence over state-level cannabis policies. Governors play a critical role in signing or vetoing cannabis legislation and guiding the agencies that implement cannabis laws.

Many of these gubernatorial races feature stark differences between candidates on cannabis reform, making these elections particularly important for advancing or hindering cannabis legalization within states.

However, the real battleground for cannabis reform may be in the U.S. Senate. With 34 Senate seats up for grabs, November's election holds the key to whether federal cannabis legalization gets a vote. Despite the fact that 70% of Americans support legalizing cannabis, according to Gallup, the Senate has been a roadblock. Cannabis legalization requires 60 votes to overcome a filibuster, and thus far, it hasn’t even been brought to a vote.

The MPP’s U.S. Senate voter guide outlines the candidates’ public stances on cannabis, as well as their responses to survey questions. It also highlights incumbents’ voting records on cannabis-related bills. The outcome of these races could shape whether the Senate will finally act on legalization.

With 24 states and Washington, D.C. already having legalized cannabis for adults 21 and older, public momentum is growing. Voters in Florida, North Dakota, and South Dakota will also weigh in on adult-use cannabis initiatives this November, which could further pressure federal lawmakers to address the issue.

Still, despite widespread public support and incremental state-level victories, federal cannabis reform remains elusive. Political gridlock, particularly in the Senate, has prevented legalization from advancing. But this year’s elections could tip the scales in favor of reform if enough pro-legalization candidates are elected.

Founded in 1995, the Marijuana Policy Project has played a pivotal role in passing numerous state-level cannabis reforms, including 14 successful legalization campaigns. The group continues to push for federal change, urging voters to consider where candidates stand on cannabis policy as they head to the polls.

Will 2024 be the year that finally sees federal cannabis legalization? With so many key races hinging on the issue, voters have the power to decide.

Could your vote be the one that pushes cannabis legalization forward in 2024?