Voters in Maryland approved an initiative that legalizes recreational marijuana use legal for adults.
Question 4 asked voters: "Do you favor the legalization of the use of cannabis by an individual who is at least 21 years of age on or after July 1, 2023, in the State of Maryland?"
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Adults 21 and older will be able to possess up to 1.5 ounces of marijuana once the measure goes into effect next summer. People caught with larger amounts could face civil fines.
Question 4 only asked if Marylanders are OK with legalizing marijuana. Taxation, distribution and marketing of the plant would then need to be handled by the legislature. That process has already started in work groups. They hope to have most of that framework ready by spring.
Maryland had already legalized medical marijuana and decriminalized small amounts in the past. The state legalized medical marijuana in 2013, and decriminalized possession of 10 grams or less of cannabis the following year.
Now the state joins the District of Columbia and 19 other states that have already legalized the recreational use of marijuana. Voters in Missouri also approved legalization Tuesday.
However, it remains under federal prohibition.
Meanwhile, similar proposals were rejected in Arkansas, North Dakota and South Dakota.
CNBC noted that these votes come about a month after President Joe Biden urged state and local officials to follow his lead in pardoning those convicted on prior federal charges of simple marijuana possession.
See more election results in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia here.
