Ballot Initiatives
Colorado Voters Delivered a Win for Pharmacological Freedom
A ballot initiative approved in November decriminalizes consumption of natural psychedelics.
California Bill Builds on Reforms That Could Herald the Surprisingly Fast Collapse of Psychedelic Prohibition
S.B. 58, which emulates an initiative that Colorado voters approved last month, would legalize the use of five psychoactive substances found in fungi and plants.
A Federal Judge Suggests That Oregon's 10-Round Magazine Limit Does Not Implicate the Second Amendment
The new ban, which has been blocked by a state judge, so far has fared better in federal court.
Colorado Voters Rejected Booze To-Go and Expanded Alcohol Delivery
Alcohol-related ballot measures were in play in several states last week. The results were lukewarm.
California's Vaping Flavor Ban Could Be Lethal
By making e-cigarettes less appealing, it will discourage smokers from switching to a much less hazardous nicotine habit.
Colorado Voters Approve Decriminalization of 5 Natural Psychedelics
Proposition 122 is the broadest liberalization of psychedelic policy ever enacted in the United States.
Pot Prohibition Continues Collapsing, and Psychedelic Bans Could Be Next
Two more states legalized recreational marijuana on Tuesday, while decriminalization of five natural psychedelics looks like a winner in Colorado.
Voters Approve Anti-Slavery Ballot Measures in 4 States
On Tuesday, voters in Alabama, Tennessee, Vermont, and Oregon approved ballot measures that removed exceptions to anti-slavery laws in their state's constitutions, effectively banning forced prison labor.
It Was a Good Night For Abortion Rights, Ron DeSantis, Iowa Gun Owners—and Democrats
What we know about 2022 midterm results so far
Midterm Voters Choose To Protect Reproductive Freedom
Voters in California, Michigan, and Vermont embraced constitutional amendments to protect abortion rights, while Kentuckians rejected an anti-abortion amendment.
Missouri Becomes the 21st State To Legalize Recreational Marijuana
Some reformers opposed the initiative, deeming it anti-competitive and needlessly prescriptive.
South Dakotans Say No to Marijuana Legalization After Saying Yes Two Years Ago
A 2020 initiative was overturned by the courts, and this year's version was rejected by voters.
Arkansas Voters Reject Marijuana Legalization
Early polling showed a majority favored the change, but support fell in the face of opposition from leading Republicans and conservative groups.
California Voters Keep State Ban on Flavored Tobacco and Vapes
Bring on the black market.
Tough-on-Crime Cash Bail Initiatives Win in Ohio and Alabama
The debate over bail has become a polarizing flash point. But as usual, the answer is more nuanced than either Republicans or Democrats would have their bases believe.
Maryland Becomes the 20th State To Legalize Recreational Marijuana
Voters approved a constitutional amendment allowing adults 21 or older to use cannabis and instructing legislators to authorize commercial production and distribution.
Nevada Voters Could Smash the Two-Party Duopoly
Abolishing party-specific primary elections makes a lot of sense, and might help steer American democracy back towards the center.
Abortion, Pot, Slavery, and More: 34 Ballot Initiatives We're Watching Today
Plus: California's latest faux-trafficking sting, judge suspends New York gun restrictions, and more...
Teachers Unions Spent $22 Million Backing Massachusetts 'Millionaire's Tax'
The constitutional amendment is an attempt to undermine the state's flat income tax system.
Kansas Voters Could Give Legislature Power To Veto Executive Branch Regulations
The proposed constitutional amendment would shift the state's balance of political power.
California's Anti-Vaping Ballot Question Isn't About 'Protecting Children'
It's about protecting adults from themselves, which should be none of the government’s business.
Illinois Voters Asked Whether To Give Government Unions Veto Power Over Laws They Don't Like
Amendment 1 would grant public workers collective bargaining power over just about anything that affects them, ignoring the will of voters and lawmakers.
Florida's Constitutional Revision Commission Is Unelected, Unaccountable, and Unnecessary
This November, voters will have the chance to abolish it. They should.
Colorado Voters Will Soon Decide Whether To Decriminalize 5 Natural Psychedelics
The ballot initiative also would authorize state-licensed "healing centers" where adults could obtain psychedelics for supervised use.
Will Californians Overrule the State's Intrusive Flavored Tobacco Ban?
Voters have shown a propensity to veto the meddlesome efforts of lawmakers in the past.
Prison Slavery Up for a Vote in 5 States
Plus: Federal court dismisses state challenge to student loan debt forgiveness, not all independent contractors want to be employees, and more...
More States Poised To Ease Marijuana Laws After Election Day
Ten years after Colorado and Washington embraced legalization, the movement looks unstoppable.
Gaming Tribes Battle Online Corporations for Control of California Sports Betting
Messy, dueling ballot initiatives await voters in November.
The Defeat of a Kansas Ballot Initiative Shows That Red-State Voters Don't Necessarily Favor Abortion Bans
The amendment lost by a surprisingly wide margin in a state where Republicans far outnumber Democrats.
Scofflaws Lead the Way To Legalizing Psychedelic Drugs
With 28 percent of Americans trying hallucinogens, the days are numbered for bans.
Audit: L.A. Spending as Much as $837,000 per Unit of Housing for Homeless
Despite apportioning over $1 billion for homeless housing, cost overruns and sluggish pacing threaten to jeopardize the city project.
L.A.'s Vaccination Mandate Has Not Increased Compliance. A New Petition Would Force Its Repeal.
Los Angeles Libertarians to start gathering signatures to overturn the four-month-old ordinance.
Detroit Becomes the Second-Largest U.S. City To Urge Tolerance of Psychedelic Use
Voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot initiative that makes "entheogenic plant" possession the city's "lowest law-enforcement priority."
Cleveland Votes for More Police Oversight, While Minneapolis Rejects Abolishing, Replacing Cops
The obvious lesson is that, yes, people want reform and better police conduct, not necessarily broad, vague plans to replace them.
South Dakota Lawmakers, Activists Try To Work Around Gov. Kristi Noem's Opposition to Marijuana Legalization
Legislation advances and a ballot initiative circulates in response to a constitutional amendment that was struck down by the courts.
California Voters Might Have a Chance To Ban Government Unions in 2022
One of two ballot measures already proposed for 2022 in California takes on some of the most powerful special interests in state politics.
Psychonautical Journalist Michael Pollan Is Finally Ready To End the War on Drugs
The evolution of Pollan's thinking reflects the confusion caused by arbitrary pharmacological distinctions.
Judge Tosses Out South Dakota Ballot Initiative Legalizing Recreational Marijuana
Voters approved it, but the governor resisted. A court came down on her side.
Drugs Declare Victory in War on Drugs
States where recreational use has been legalized now include about a third of the U.S. population.
Alaskans Approve Shift to Ranked-Choice Voting
St. Louis residents agree to shift to approval voting for local primaries.
California Voters Rebuked Their Governor, Legislators at the Ballot Box
With several ballot initiatives on Election Day, voters decisively rejected California Gov. Gavin Newsom, the state's politically dominant unions, and the legislature.
Biden's Drug Policies Are Still Oppressive
The reformed drug warrior opposes marijuana legalization and supports "mandatory rehabilitation" for people who violate the government’s pharmacological decrees.
America Wants Legal Marijuana More Than Ever Before. Catch Up, Joe Biden.
Gallup shows 68 percent supporting legalization.
Voters Used Ballot Initiatives To Defy Power-Mad Politicians
Tax hikes? Drug wars? Racial Preferences? Not today.
