The Biggest Loser on Election Day? The Drug War

Spurred by legalization approved by referenda in Colorado and Washington state in 2012, a growing number of states have legalized adult recreational use of cannabis — 14 (and the District of Columbia) to date, as well as an additional 20 that permit sale of cannabis prescribed for medicinal purposes. More are expected to follow: All cannabis legalization initiatives on the ballot in 2020 — four recreational and two medical — were approved by voters. Other states have taken the more limited step of decriminalization.

Meanwhile, the conflict between these state laws and federal policy — cannabis remains illegal under federal law — remains unresolved: the Justice and Treasury departments have adopted informal policies of non-interference with state laws.