In the 2024 US elections, voters decisively opposed drug legalisation efforts across several states. Florida, North Dakota, and South Dakota rejected recreational marijuana proposals despite substantial industry backing. Florida’s Amendment 3 narrowly missed the required 60% approval, while North Dakota’s Measure 5 and South Dakota’s Measure 29 were also defeated. Massachusetts dismissed a proposal to legalise psychedelics, with the Boston Globe criticising the measure’s overreach.

Kevin Sabet, President of the Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions, remarked, “Voters by wide margins rejected the legalisation of drugs like marijuana and psychedelics from red Florida to blue Massachusetts.”

Conversely, Nebraska approved medical marijuana legalisation through Initiative 437 with 70.2% support, and a related regulatory measure also passed.

Federally, cannabis remains a Schedule I drug, but President Biden has initiated a review to potentially reclassify it as Schedule III. President-Elect Donald Trump, who supported Florida’s Amendment 3, advocated for “smart regulations” and further research into marijuana’s medical uses. While Trump’s views on psychedelics are not well-defined, there is growing bipartisan support in Congress for investigating their mental health benefits, especially for veterans. These outcomes suggest ongoing debates and potential shifts in US drug policy.

The 2024 elections showed that Americans have mixed views on drug policies. While some changes were approved, many voters chose to reject wider legalisation.

Source: Washington Examiner