FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Washington, D.C. — On Tuesday, the Marijuana Policy Project released their cannabis policy reform voter guides for the 2024 governors’ races and the U.S. Senate races.
“With Election Day quickly approaching, voters across the country will soon have an opportunity to cast ballots that will shape prospects for cannabis policy reform 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,” said Karen O’Keefe, MPP’s director of state policies.
In 11 states, voters will be choosing their next governor on Election Day — Tuesday, November 5. Governors have a tremendous impact on cannabis policies in their states, from signing or vetoing bills to overseeing agencies that can implement, expand, or obstruct existing cannabis laws. To help inform voters, MPP’s gubernatorial voter guide includes public statements on cannabis policy and lawmakers’ votes on cannabis-related legislation, when applicable. In many of these races, there is a stark contrast between where major party gubernatorial candidates stand on cannabis policy reforms.
Additionally, with 34 Senate seats on the ballot this year, November’s election is key to the prospects for federal reform. Cannabis legalization hasn’t even gotten a vote in the Senate, where 60 votes are needed to overcome a filibuster. Our U.S. Senate voter guide reviews U.S. Senate candidates’ public stances, responses to MPP’s survey questions, and — for incumbents and those holding other elected offices — whether they have supported cannabis policy bills.
Gallup polls show that a supermajority of American voters (70%) agree that cannabis use should be legal. To date, 24 states and Washington, D.C. have legalized cannabis for adults 21 and older. Voters in three additional states will consider adult-use legalization initiatives on Election Day: Florida, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
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Founded in 1995, the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) is the nation’s leading cannabis policy reform organization. MPP has played a central role in passing dozens of cannabis policy reforms in states across the country, including 14 successful cannabis legalization campaigns, and also works to advance federal reforms. Visit www.mpp.org for more information.
Contact: Violet Cavendish
vcavendish@mpp.org
