5 States That Could Legalize Cannabis in 2022

Delaware

Delaware boasts an established and booming medical marijuana program, having legalized medical cannabis use in 2011. Thus, the state is well-positioned to create a recreational cannabis market. This is based on the gathered experiences with its medical marijuana program.

The House Health and Human Development committee has already consented to House Bill 150. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Ed Osienski, seeks to legalize, tax, and manage the recreational use of marijuana in Delaware.

According to a 2018 University of Delaware poll, 61% of Delaware residents favor legalization. If approved by a House floor vote, the legislation would create a regulatory framework for recreational cannabis in the state. Adults aged 21 years and above will be free to buy up to an ounce of marijuana for personal use. Small businesses will also be able to apply for and get licenses to sell cannabis.

Maryland

The state of Maryland also boasts a functioning medical cannabis program. Patients can carry up to four ounces or 120 grams unless a doctor recommends the patient needs more dosage. According to a recent poll, sixty-seven percent of Marylanders support the push for adult cannabis use.

The Maryland House of Delegates seeks to introduce a bill to legalize recreational cannabis and put it on the 2022 general election ballot. The move will allow the legislation to take effect, provided voters support the initiative.

Ohio

Thanks to its medical cannabis program, Ohio boasts one of the most flourishing weed economies in the US. Now the Buckeye state seeks to regulate cannabis just like alcohol. Earlier attempts by cannabis advocates to put an adult-use legalization bill on the state’s 2020 ballot hit a snag. This is because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, things are back on track now.

The proposed law legalizes and regulates the cultivation, processing, testing, and retail of recreational cannabis to adults aged 21 and above. Moreover, adults can grow up to six weed plants for personal use. A 10 percent tax would apply to adult-use marijuana sales, and a Division of Cannabis Control would run the industry.

The bill’s sponsors require over 130,000 signatures to present the legislation to the Ohio Legislative Assembly. It’s only a matter of time before the Buckeye State becomes recreationally stoned.

Pennsylvania

From a legal perspective, Pennsylvania only allows the medical use of cannabis. About 600,000 residents have medical marijuana cards. Now the major battle is about the legalization of adult-use cannabis.

After holding several hearings, Republican Senator Mike Regan, the chairperson of the Senate Law and Justice Committee, says he’s ready to proceed to the next phase of legalization. Regan says that the current Pennsylvania policy on marijuana has only economically benefitted and boosted “organized crime in the form of criminal gangs and cartels.”

Regan also says that they have a rough draft ready that’s currently being tweaked and fine-tuned. He adds that they’ll have a hearing in May to pass the bill out of committee. And he opines that they’ve learned important lessons on how to tax, regulate, and protect the quality of legal cannabis from the 18 states that have so far legalized cannabis. So they’ve borrowed the good points from those 18 states to create a comprehensive bill.

However, it is unclear if the Republican-controlled legislature will permit a House floor vote on Regan’s piece of legislation. But, according to Regan, what’s encouraging is that Governor Tom Wolf will have no hesitation in signing the legalization bill if it reaches his desk this year.

Arkansas

In a survey conducted by Talk Business & Politics, respondents gave their opinion on what they think the legal status of cannabis in Arkansas should be. Fifty-four percent of the respondents supported complete adult-use legalization, while 32 percent supported medical use only. Only 11 percent maintained that any form of cannabis should not be legal.

Arkansans’ opinion towards marijuana legalization is a shot in the arm. There’s the prospect that a bill to legalize adult-use cannabis could be on the 2022 ballot. A former Arkansas legislator, Eddie Armstrong, filed a constitutional amendment to pursue cannabis legalization through Arkansas’ 2022 ballot.

The proposal seeks to allow adults aged 21 and above to buy and carry up to one ounce of pot. Existing dispensaries selling medical cannabis could also sell recreational cannabis in 2023.

Another group called Arkansans for Marijuana reform has its own proposed constitutional amendments. Under their proposal, adults aged 21 and above can cultivate up to six cannabis plants for personal use. They can also possess a maximum of 4 ounces of cannabis and 2 ounces of concentrates.

Another pro-legalization group called Arkansas True Grass is already collecting signatures for a 2022 ballot initiative. Their proposal would create a regulatory system for cannabis sales to adults aged 21 and above. This would allow them to cultivate up to 12 weed plants for personal use and buy up to 4 ounces of cannabis flowers.

The Bottom Line

It’s no doubt that people’s attitudes toward cannabis have shifted significantly over the years. This has been fueled by interest in cannabis as a natural supplement for relaxing and easing discomfort.

For this reason, more and more states continue to decriminalize the use of cannabis for recreational and medical usage. As 2022 ballot initiatives and constitutional amendments ramp up, the mentioned states are the ones to watch this year for the legalization of cannabis.