Subject: Election victories for marijuana legalization & drug policy reform
The election results are in and I’m thrilled to let you know that there were several significant victories for our movement. These wins will accelerate efforts to legalize marijuana and to end the broader war on drugs in states across the U.S., at the federal level, and internationally.
Michigan voters approved Proposal 1, a ballot initiative to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana for adults 21 and over, making it the 10th U.S. state to legalize marijuana – and the first in the Midwest. And passage of Amendment 2 in Missouri and Proposition 2 in Utah make them the 32nd and 33rd states to approve medical marijuana.
Florida voters approved Amendment 4, a groundbreaking initiative to restore voting rights to 1.4 million people with drug and other felony convictions upon completion of their sentences.
Embracing drug policy reform proved to be a winning strategy for gubernatorial candidates, as Gavin Newsom (CA), Jared Polis (CO), J.B. Pritzer (IL), and Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM) emerged victorious.
Drug policy reform also played a major role in scores of local, state and federal races all over the country. The most powerful marijuana reform opponent in the House of Representatives, Pete Sessions of Texas, lost to Colin Allred, a supporter of marijuana reform. Sessions has single-handedly blocked Congress from holding any votes on marijuana reform for more than a year. With Sessions out, we now have an opportunity to move our issues forward in Congress.
We are grateful for voters like you for making these incredible victories possible.
Western and northeastern states have led the way on legalizing marijuana, but the victory in Michigan powerfully demonstrates the national reach of our movement. The Drug Policy Alliance and its lobbying arm, Drug Policy Action, helped fund and played a significant role in drafting Proposal 1 in Michigan and played a leading role in drafting and funding Amendment 2 in Missouri.
Supporters like you know the drug war has failed, and it’s encouraging to see more and more voters and candidates across the country raising their voices to reform our broken drug laws.
Our movement to end the drug war took a significant leap forward in this election....
Thanks again for making these crucial wins possible, and please continue standing with us for drug policies grounded in science, compassion, health and human rights.
Sincerely,
Maria McFarland Sánchez-Moreno
Executive Director
Drug Policy Alliance