The Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) on Tuesday released their voter guide to 2022 governors’ races and cannabis policy reform.
In 36 states, voters will be choosing their next governor on Election Day. And in many of these races, there is a stark contrast between where major party gubernatorial candidates stand on Cannabis.
To help inform voters, MPP’s voter guide includes public statements on marijuana policy and lawmakers’ votes on cannabis-related legislation.
Governors Have Big Impact On Marijuana Policy
Governors have a tremendous impact on cannabis policies in their states. This includes signing or vetoing bills, pardoning past convictions, and overseeing agencies that can implement or obstruct existing marijuana laws.
“The impact and influence that governors have on cannabis policy reform are undeniable, and unfortunately, not always positive,” said Toi Hutchinson of MPP. ”With Election Day quickly approaching, voters across the country will soon have an opportunity to elect governors, thus shaping the future of cannabis policy reform in their states. Our goal is simple — to empower voters so that they can cast informed votes.”
According to the latest polls, more than two-thirds of Americans support legalizing marijuana for adult use. Beyond that, state-by-state polling shows majority or plurality support in every single state.
To date, 19 states and Washington, D.C. have legalized cannabis for adults 21 and older. Voters in five additional states decide legalization initiatives on Election Day: Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
