# What state ballot measures are pushing marijuana legalization or health reform in 2016? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [June 27, 2015, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-ballot-measures-are-pushing-marijuana-legalization-or-health-reform-in-2016/723628 "2015-06-27T15:06:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2015, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-ballot-measures-are-pushing-marijuana-legalization-or-health-reform-in-2016/723628/1 "2015-06-27T15:06:43Z")
I believe Colorado is going to try to push for single payer in 2016, but I could be wrong. I read that California is not too serious about 2016, and may push their single payer ballot initiative to 2020. Oregon may push for UHC, I have no idea. So single payer probably isn’t realistic on the state level in 2016, but maybe in 2020. So what about marijuana? [http://www.cheatsheet.com/politics/why-2016-will-be-marijuanas-most-important-year-ever.html/?a=viewall](http://www.cheatsheet.com/politics/why-2016-will-be-marijuanas-most-important-year-ever.html/?a=viewall) California, MA, NV, AZ are all looking at legalization in 2016. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2015, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-ballot-measures-are-pushing-marijuana-legalization-or-health-reform-in-2016/723628/2 "2015-06-30T15:10:32Z")
I think they will all look very closely at CO, mostly at the amount of revenue generated. It they decide it’s profitable enough, they’ll do it. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2015, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-ballot-measures-are-pushing-marijuana-legalization-or-health-reform-in-2016/723628/3 "2015-06-30T17:19:29Z")
Florida just missed passing a medical marijuana amendment in 2014. The supporters are [vowing](http://www.wctv.tv/home/headlines/Florida-Tries-Again-on-Medical-Marijuana-298235241.html) to put it back on the ballot in '16. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2015, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-ballot-measures-are-pushing-marijuana-legalization-or-health-reform-in-2016/723628/4 "2015-06-30T17:49:02Z")
Ohio, surprisingly, looks pretty certain to have recreational marijuana on this November’s ballot. There is a lot of divisiveness about the structure of the system, however, with the most organized group wishing to form a cartel of sorts of dispensers as a way to limit access and ease into the system. Ohioans, please feel free to correct any misrepresentations I have made here. ---
**Author:** ![1iLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/1ileft/32/4114_2.png) [@1iLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/1iLeft)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2015, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-ballot-measures-are-pushing-marijuana-legalization-or-health-reform-in-2016/723628/5 "2015-07-01T15:09:29Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > California, MA, NV, AZ are all looking at legalization in 2016. Also - [Michigan](http://www.mlive.com/lansing-news/index.ssf/2015/04/michigan_rep_preps_marijuana_l.html) ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2015, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-ballot-measures-are-pushing-marijuana-legalization-or-health-reform-in-2016/723628/6 "2015-07-01T21:17:34Z")
> [@Red\_Wiggler](#): > > Ohio, surprisingly, looks pretty certain to have recreational marijuana on this November’s ballot. There is a lot of divisiveness about the structure of the system, however, with the most organized group wishing to form a cartel of sorts of dispensers as a way to limit access and ease into the system. Ohioans, please feel free to correct any misrepresentations I have made here. There’s also now going to be a vote on banning monopolies from being placed in the constitution by initiative. If it’s successful, the Secretary of State says it will void the marijuana initiative even if it’s successful (even if marijuana gets more votes). ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2015, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-ballot-measures-are-pushing-marijuana-legalization-or-health-reform-in-2016/723628/7 "2015-07-23T18:11:42Z")
Here’s an update on the Ohio legalization campaign. They still need more signatures to qualify for the November ballot, but I think it has a fair chance of passing: [Will Ohio legalize marijuana this year?](http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/elections/2015/03/22/will-ohio-legalize-marijuana-year/25205935/) ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2015, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-ballot-measures-are-pushing-marijuana-legalization-or-health-reform-in-2016/723628/8 "2015-07-23T19:15:43Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Here’s an update on the Ohio legalization campaign. They still need more signatures to qualify for the November ballot, but I think it has a fair chance of passing: [Will Ohio legalize marijuana this year?](http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/elections/2015/03/22/will-ohio-legalize-marijuana-year/25205935/) I intend to vote against it if it does get on the ballot. It limits marijuana cultivation to the 10 specific sites enumerated in the text, all of which have been invested in by people who have financially supported the initiative. It’s a dirty piece of work. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2015, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-ballot-measures-are-pushing-marijuana-legalization-or-health-reform-in-2016/723628/9 "2015-08-19T15:30:28Z")
The Ohio Ballot Board has approved the wording of the Mary Jane ballot initiative, but may be sued by the group which pushed for it: [Supporters threaten court challenge over marijuana amendment wording](http://www.wlwt.com/news/order-of-ohio-ballot-issues-set-language-still-being-discussed/34781864) ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-ballot-measures-are-pushing-marijuana-legalization-or-health-reform-in-2016/723628/10 "2015-08-27T13:39:27Z")
Ohio pro-legalization advocates unveil their particularly ugly mascot: [Buddie the marijuana mascot draws complaints from children's advocates - cleveland.com](http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2015/08/buddie_the_marijuana_mascot_dr.html#incart_m-rpt-1) ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2015, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-ballot-measures-are-pushing-marijuana-legalization-or-health-reform-in-2016/723628/11 "2015-09-23T20:14:33Z")
A good discussion of the Ohio measure’s pros and cons. After reading this, I’m a little more likely to vote in favor: [404 Page](https://www.ohiobar.org/NewsAndPublications/OhioLawyer/Pages/Will-Ohio%27s-marijuana-amendment-go-up-in-smoke.aspx) ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2015, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-ballot-measures-are-pushing-marijuana-legalization-or-health-reform-in-2016/723628/12 "2015-11-04T09:44:50Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > A good discussion of the Ohio measure’s pros and cons. After reading this, I’m a little more likely to vote in favor: [404 Page](https://www.ohiobar.org/NewsAndPublications/OhioLawyer/Pages/Will-Ohio%27s-marijuana-amendment-go-up-in-smoke.aspx) The amendment lost, 64-36%. It appears that I was not the only one who supports legalization but thought that this amendment was a particularly ugly way to go about it. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2015, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-ballot-measures-are-pushing-marijuana-legalization-or-health-reform-in-2016/723628/13 "2015-11-04T13:00:03Z")
Is there enough time to get a revised proposal on the 2016 ballot in Ohio? One without a discouraging oligopoly being created? ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2015, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-ballot-measures-are-pushing-marijuana-legalization-or-health-reform-in-2016/723628/14 "2015-11-04T13:05:22Z")
> [@Red\_Wiggler](#): > > Is there enough time to get a revised proposal on the 2016 ballot in Ohio? One without a discouraging oligopoly being created? There’s time [and a proposal](https://legalizeohio2016.org/), but I don’t know that there’s money. Initiatives are hard to get on the ballot without a corporate sponsor to buy signatures. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2015, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-ballot-measures-are-pushing-marijuana-legalization-or-health-reform-in-2016/723628/15 "2015-11-04T13:05:25Z")
> [@Red\_Wiggler](#): > > Is there enough time to get a revised proposal on the 2016 ballot in Ohio? One without a discouraging oligopoly being created? I read somewhere there already is one. The one that just failed was an attempt to head off the other. Here’s the [2016 proposal](http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2015/01/second_campaign_to_legalize_ma.html). Dated Jan 8, 2015. ---
**Author:** ![DerekMichaels00](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f14d63/32.png) [@DerekMichaels00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DerekMichaels00)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2015, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-ballot-measures-are-pushing-marijuana-legalization-or-health-reform-in-2016/723628/16 "2015-11-04T13:40:14Z")
I’m really sad about yesterday’s loss in Ohio. From what I saw on some liberal blogs, many liberals didn’t vote yes on Issue 3 because a corporation would’ve gotten rich. In life, there are things called trade-offs. Liberals should’ve been happy to have industry, a powerful force in a capitalist economy, team up with a cause like legal weed. Talk about making perfect the enemy of the good. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2015, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-ballot-measures-are-pushing-marijuana-legalization-or-health-reform-in-2016/723628/17 "2015-11-04T13:52:21Z")
> [@DerekMichaels00](#): > > I’m really sad about yesterday’s loss in Ohio. From what I saw on some liberal blogs, many liberals didn’t vote yes on Issue 3 because a corporation would’ve gotten rich. In life, there are things called trade-offs. Liberals should’ve been happy to have industry, a powerful force in a capitalist economy, team up with a cause like legal weed. Talk about making perfect the enemy of the good. This wasn’t even good. Other states have legalized pot without the monopoly/oligarchy aspects that the amendment had. Their marijuana industries seem to be doing just fine. This was not a marijuana legalization amendment; it was a create money farms for 20 specified investors amendment. I’ll happily vote yes on a clean amendment, but that isn’t what I was voting on yesterday. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2015, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-ballot-measures-are-pushing-marijuana-legalization-or-health-reform-in-2016/723628/18 "2015-11-04T13:55:02Z")
> [@DerekMichaels00](#): > > I’m really sad about yesterday’s loss in Ohio. From what I saw on some liberal blogs, many liberals didn’t vote yes on Issue 3 because a corporation would’ve gotten rich. In life, there are things called trade-offs. Liberals should’ve been happy to have industry, a powerful force in a capitalist economy, team up with a cause like legal weed. Talk about making perfect the enemy of the good. “Get money out of politics,” people say, usually to rousing applause. But shoot down a ballot initiative that would literally enshrine profits for specific corporations in the state constitution and we’re accused of making perfect the enemy of the good. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2015, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-ballot-measures-are-pushing-marijuana-legalization-or-health-reform-in-2016/723628/19 "2015-11-04T14:01:02Z")
> [@DerekMichaels00](#): > > I’m really sad about yesterday’s loss in Ohio. From what I saw on some liberal blogs, many liberals didn’t vote yes on Issue 3 because a corporation would’ve gotten rich. In life, there are things called trade-offs. Liberals should’ve been happy to have industry, a powerful force in a capitalist economy, team up with a cause like legal weed. Talk about making perfect the enemy of the good. Yeah, but there’s no reason to set things up as an oligopaly right from the start. Just legalize it, period. ---
**Author:** ![DerekMichaels00](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f14d63/32.png) [@DerekMichaels00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DerekMichaels00)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2015, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-ballot-measures-are-pushing-marijuana-legalization-or-health-reform-in-2016/723628/20 "2015-11-04T14:03:28Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Yeah, but there’s no reason to set things up as an oligopaly right from the start. Just legalize it, period. It would’ve been a lot easier to deal with the “oligopoly” in time than trying again to get weed legalized in time. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-ballot-measures-are-pushing-marijuana-legalization-or-health-reform-in-2016/723628.md?page=2)