Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now

Marijuana didn’t just win on Election Day — it also got more votes than major politicians

A marijuana plant.
A marijuana plant.
A marijuana plant.
Shutterstock

Statewide marijuana legalization measures in 2014 got more support from voters than most of the major politicians on the same statewide ballots.

The recreational marijuana legalization initiatives in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington, DC, won a higher percentage of the vote than many of the gubernatorial, mayoral, and congressional candidates who were also on statewide (or district-wide) ballots. Even in Florida, the medical marijuana measure that fell short of the 60 percent approval it needed to pass performed better than any of the gubernatorial or attorney general candidates.

Here’s how support for marijuana initiatives stacked up against support for some of the states’ winning politicians.

1) In Alaska, marijuana is more popular than Rep. Don Young

Alaska voters

2) In Oregon, marijuana is barely more popular than Sen. Jeff Merkley

oregon voters

3) In Washington, DC, marijuana is much more popular than Mayor-elect Muriel Bowser

DC voters

4) In Florida, medical marijuana is much more popular than Gov. Rick Scott

Florida voters

Hat tip to the Huffington Post’s Matt Ferner for pointing out the trend.

Policy
The Supreme Court will decide if marijuana users may be barred from owning gunsThe Supreme Court will decide if marijuana users may be barred from owning guns
Policy

Do stoners have a right to bear arms?

By Ian Millhiser
Politics
3 winners and 1 loser from Election Day 20233 winners and 1 loser from Election Day 2023
Politics

Democrats had a good night. So did abortion rights. Glenn Youngkin, not so much.

By Andrew Prokop
Money
Is CBD in trouble?Is CBD in trouble?
Money

The FDA just refused to regulate the popular cannabis product as a dietary supplement. So, uh, buyer beware?

By Mary Jane Gibson
Money
Is legal weed doomed to be run by big business?Is legal weed doomed to be run by big business?
Money

Pro-marijuana advocates have become surprising foes of some efforts to legalize. Here’s why.

By Mary Jane Gibson
Video
A fact-checked debate about legal weedA fact-checked debate about legal weed
Play
Video

Two opposing perspectives and six true facts about cannabis legalization.

By Joss Fong and Laura Bult
The 2022 midterm elections, explained
A mixed night for marijuana on the ballotA mixed night for marijuana on the ballot
The 2022 midterm elections, explained

Victories in Maryland and Missouri, losses in Arkansas and the Dakotas.

By Mary Jane Gibson