state cpa societies shift into high gear.
by liz gold
cannabizcpa.pro
voters across the united states showed their support for cannabis during the 2018 midterms, with three states approving new markets and more than a handful of new governors who support the industry.
in addition, democrats were able to take over the house of representatives, which tips the scales more in favor of easing some of the liabilities many cannabusinesses face.
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four big measures were on the nov. 6 ballots. here is a rundown:
- michigan approves an adult use program. voters passed proposal 1, which would legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana in michigan for those over the age of 21. the law also allows for the possession of up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and cultivation for personal use of up to 12 plants. proposal 1 also establishes a legal framework for the licensing and regulation of marijuana businesses and products. michigan is the 10th state to approve an adult-use cannabis program and the first in the midwest.
- missouri approves medical marijuana. the state had three separate medical marijuana initiatives on the ballot, but only amendment 2 passed, according to cannabis wire newsletter. amendment 2 creates a system of access for patients through the missouri department of health and senior services while allowing physicians to decide when medical use is appropriate, according to the drug policy alliance.
- utah approves medical marijuana. but it wasn’t easy. support for the proposition 2 had been in rapid decline over the past weeks, some pointing to public opposition from the state’s church of jesus christ of latter-day saints and a secretly drafted compromise bill that was drafted in the final hour, according to cannabis wire newsletter. the law, however, protects terminally and seriously ill patients with specific debilitating medical conditions from arrest and prosecution. it would also establish a regulatory system to license and regulate the production and distribution of medical marijuana.
- north dakota votes down adult use. the state’s proposition 3 would have allowed the creation of an adult use program and automatically expunge cannabis-related criminal records, according to cannabis wire newsletter.
“we are definitely excited with recreational marijuana gaining voter approval,” said kareyna l. miller cpa, president of lc solutions in otter lake, michigan. “legalization opens the doors for expanded opportunities for micro-business licensing, as well as furthering michigan’s already quickly expanding market for commercial businesses. our commercial medical industry has only begun full licensing this past summer. our state cpa society has also been proactive in working with the state’s licensing and regulatory agency to ensure cpas are able to offer a valuable role in financial compliance for the industry and keeping its members well informed. the timing is right here in michigan for marijuana legalization, with a strong base of supporters, many longtime activists, and smart business and entrepreneurial focused approach.”
another big result from the election took place in florida. voters passed amendment 4, restoring voting rights to those with non-violent felony convictions, upon the completion of their sentences, except for those convicted of murder or a felony sexual offense. this amendment gives back voting privileges to an estimated 1.5 million people. under florida law, first-time possession of marijuana in amounts greater than 20 grams (less than one ounce) is classified under state law as a felony offense.
wisconsin voters in 16 counties around the state showed their strong support for marijuana legalization, voting in the affirmative on advisory questions asking whether voters approve of various legalization and decriminalization policies. while the questions are non-binding (meaning they won’t translate into policy), the idea is to gauge public sentiment on the issue, in an effort to inform future legislation, according to marijuana moment.
and, last but not least, five out of six cities in ohio voted to decriminalize marijuana – helping to protect cannabis consumers in those municipalities.
the midterm election also brought in a number of cannabis-friendly governors.
- gavin newsom (d) of california
- jared polis (d) of colorado
- ned lamont (d) of connecticut
- b. pritzker (d) of illinois
- janet mills (d) of maine
- gretchen whitmer (d) of michigan
- tim walz (d) of minnesota
- tom wolf (d) of pennsylvania (re-elected)
- michelle lujan grisham (d) of new mexico
- tony evers (d) of wisconsin
“in four states — connecticut, michigan, minnesota, illinois — voters elected governors who openly campaigned on a platform that included legalizing adult marijuana use,” said paul armentano, norml’s deputy director, on the organization’s blog. “in two other states — california and colorado — voters elected governors who have a long history of spearheading legalization reform efforts. and in maine and in new mexico, two of the nation’s most rabid marijuana prohibitionists, paul lepage and susana martinez, have been replaced by governors who are open to enacting common-sense cannabis reforms. in 2019, we anticipate unprecedented legislative activity at the state level in favor of marijuana law reform legislation, and we expect to see several significant legislative victories before the year’s end.”
a new gallup poll released in late october shows that two out of three american adults (66 percent) – across political party lines – support ending prohibition. today 53 percent of republicans, 75 percent of democrats, and 71 percent of independents support legalizing marijuana.