An election worker sorts submitted ballots. Photo: Nathan Howard/Getty Images
Voters approved legalizing recreational marijuana use in several states, and Oregon decriminalized the possession of street drugs.
The big picture: New Jersey, Arizona, Montana and South Dakota will join the 11 states and D.C. that have already legalized cannabis for adult recreational use.
Why it matters: Legalization in additional states could be a big opportunity for the marijuana industry, and new tax revenue from potential sales could help states and cities balance budgets hit hard from the coronavirus pandemic.
- Oregon legalized psychedelic mushrooms, and they were decriminalized in D.C.
- Mississippi legalized marijuana for medical use, joining 33 states.
In addition, Oregon voters on Tuesday passed a measure to decriminalize the possession of street drugs and will no longer arrest or sentence those carrying small amounts of drugs like cocaine, heroin, oxycodone and methamphetamine.
- The ballot Measure 110 will also direct millions of dollars in tax revenue for addiction treatment facilities and a state-supervised fund that will pay for drug programs, treatment and housing.