The Reagan-era slogan “Just Say No” rang true at the ballot box this year as voters in multiple states rejected efforts to legalize marijuana and psychedelics.
Florida, North Dakota and South Dakota each had an amendment or a measure on the ballot to legalize marijuana. They rejected it. An initiative in Nebraska to legalize medical marijuana did end up passing. Massachusetts rejected the legalization of psychedelic substances.
In the Sunshine State, voters were asked if they would like to give adults the opportunity to buy, possess and use marijuana. Looking at vote totals from The Associated Press, the amendment failed to clear the 60% threshold needed to pass. Roughly 44% of voters said no to the amendment and 55.9% said yes.
The measures in North Dakota and South Dakota were similar — though South Dakota’s included a 2-ounce limit on marijuana. Fifty-five percent of voters said no in South Dakota and 52.5% said no in North Dakota.
Recreational marijuana has been legal in Massachusetts since 2016. Voters were asked if they would like to allow people 21 and over to use, grow and possess certain psychedelics, including magic mushrooms (psilocybin). The psychedelic drugs would only be allowed for purchase at certain locations. Voters rejected it. Fifty-seven percent of voters said no.