Originally published at National Catholic Register
Measures to legalize marijuana were defeated in three of the four states where it was on the ballot. Attempts to legalize recreational use of the drug came up short in Florida, North Dakota, and South Dakota on Election Day, while two measures authorizing medical use in Nebraska succeeded.
Additionally, Massachusetts voters decided against a measure that had aimed to legalize psychedelics.
Catholic bishops across the United States have urged Catholic voters throughout the election cycle to cast their votes against marijuana legalization initiatives.
Read the following to see details on the results of each ballot measure.
Amendment 3 in Florida
The constitutional amendment that would have authorized recreational marijuana in the Sunshine State has failed, coming up short of the requisite 60% approval to pass, with about 55.9% approval, according to results available at the time of publication.
Amendment 3 sought to legalize purchase, possession, and use of up to 3 ounces of recreational marijuana and up to 5 ounces of marijuana concentrate for adults 21 years or older. It would have also facilitated both medical and “other state-licensed entities” to buy, cultivate, and sell marijuana and marijuana accessories.
Gov. Ron DeSantis, who had actively campaigned against the measure, declared
