Midterm Ballot Measures: Cannabis Legalized In Maryland And Missouri, Colorado Rejects Expanding Licenses For Alcohol Retailers

The dust is still settling after yesterday’s midterm elections, but a few results have already become clear. The U.S. adult-use cannabis category is set to welcome two new sizeable states to its ledger in Maryland and Missouri, where voters approved ballot measures to set up recreational markets. Similar measures failed in Arkansas and North Dakota.

Elsewhere, Colorado voters rejected a ballot initiative that would have increased the number of retail liquor licenses a Colorado entity can hold from two to eight in 2023, and slowly increased it to an unlimited number after 2037. Two other ballot measures in the state—on allowing wine to be sold in grocery and convenience stores, and allowing third-party alcohol delivery—remained too close to call, but the “no” votes held a slight lead at press time. In Massachusetts, a similar initiative aimed at expanding retail licenses also looks set to be defeated, with “no” votes holding a 55%-45% edge at press time, with 86% of votes counted.—Daniel Marsteller

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