HIGH STAKES V O T E ND SD NE AR REFERENDUM ROUNDUP Marijuana advocates in heartland states fight for legalization By Omar Sacirbey F ewer states are voting on marijuana legalization this year than in previous election cycles. And except for Florida, the states that do have marijuana initiatives on the ballot have far smaller populations compared to other recent states to legalize, such as Ohio, New York, Virginia and Missouri, among others. But should North Dakota and South Dakota succeed in legalizing recreational marijuana and Nebraska voters elect to legalize medical marijuana, the November election would mark a major development for marijuana legalization. 48 September-October 2024 | MJBizMagazine Geographically, success would create a huge swath of regulated marijuana territory extending from the Canadian border with North Dakota south to the geographic center of the United States in Nebraska. Politically, such a move would make it easier for neighboring