Recent US election results have dealt significant blows to efforts to legalise drugs, with voters in several states decisively rejecting measures to expand drug liberalisation. Florida voters turned down Amendment 3, a proposal to legalise recreational marijuana, while North Dakota and South Dakota also rejected marijuana legalisation initiatives for the third election cycle in a row.

Massachusetts voters similarly defeated a proposal to legalise psychedelics, reflecting scepticism around the so-called “wonder drugs” amid unresolved concerns over their safety and ethics. Meanwhile, California residents voted overwhelmingly in favour of Proposition 36, which reinstates tougher penalties for repeat drug possession offences and introduces a drug court treatment programme. This move reverses more lenient measures adopted in 2014, demonstrating a shift in public sentiment away from decriminalisation.

These results come in spite of heavy spending by drug legalisation advocates, who outspent opponents by more than 10 to 1 in some cases. However, growing concerns about the societal impact of drug use appear to have swayed voters. Rising instances of marijuana-induced psychosis, impaired driving fatalities, and the proliferation of high-potency cannabis products have drawn increasing scrutiny. A recent Gallup poll even found a 20% rise in Americans who believe marijuana is harmful to individuals and society, with support for legalisation dwindling across diverse voter bases, including predominantly Hispanic Miami-Dade County in Florida, which voted against expanding marijuana legislation.

The rejection extends beyond marijuana. Massachusetts voters declined to back for-profit psychedelic centres, in light of controversies including flawed clinical trials and retracted studies on psychedelic therapies. California’s Proposition 36 follows in the footsteps of Oregon, which repealed its Measure 110 drug decriminalisation initiative earlier this year after facing backlash over its implementation.

Critics argue that these results highlight a broader rejection of unchecked drug liberalisation and emphasise the need for comprehensive prevention and treatment strategies. They stress the importance of focusing on recovery and reentry initiatives while steering away from policies that normalise drug use.

The election results show that many voters are becoming more cautious about drug legalisation. This may lead to more emphasis on prevention and support for those affected by drug use.

Source: Washington Times