Activists filed two different cannabis measures on June 11, to put cannabis reform on the 2022 general election. Just under two months later, both measures received approval from the Wyoming Secretary of State to begin the initial signature collecting process. Each measure must collect 100 signatures and show them to the Secretary of State before the measure is given an official name and approved for further signature collecting.
Activists brought forward a cannabis decriminalization measure along with a medical cannabis legalization measure. Each is supported by the Wyoming NORML organization and led by the Libertarian Party with Wyoming Representative Marshal Burt, L.
Medical Cannabis Program
Under the new measure, qualifying patients in Wyoming can purchase and possess up to four ounces of cannabis flower. Or patients can possess up to 20 grams of medical cannabis-derived products. Either flower or medical cannabis-derived products can be purchased over the course of a 30 day period. Qualifying patients can also grow up to eight plants for personal use. Approved medical conditions that qualify for medical cannabis include:
- Cancer
- Glaucoma
- HIV
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Parkinson’s
- Dementia
This program would run under the Wyoming Department of Revenue Liquor Division, who would have until July 1, 2023 to create and implement medical cannabis rules. THis would only happen if the medical cannabis measure receives enough signatures, and then votes, to legalize.
Cannabis Decriminalization
The second measure approved by the Secretary of State for initial signature collecting is a cannabis decriminalization measure. Wyoming citizens would only receive small fines for possessing up to four ounces of cannabis with no threat of jail time. First and second offenders for possessing up to four ounces of cannabis could receive a $50 fine and become charged with a misdemeanor. Third and any additional offenses will receive a $75 fine, still with no threat of jail time.
Additional fines have also been established in the measure. Those cultivating plants for non-medical purposes will have their plants confiscated and fined $200. People possessing over four ounces of cannabis could receive a fine up to $500. And anyone under the influence in public may receive a $50 fine. All of these come with no threat of jail time. Activists say jail time remains reserved for violent or more severe crimes according to the decriminalization measure.
Next Steps
Each measure needs to collect 100 initial signatures within a week of this first approval from the Secretary of State. Apollo Pazell is the chief strategist for each measure’s campaign. He said activists are planning on collecting 200 signatures before presenting the measures back to the Secretary of State. This will cover any signatures revoked by the secretary for various reasons.
Once activists receive the final approval from the Secretary of State to collect signatures for the ballot measures, each one will have until Valentine’s Day 2022 to collect 41,775 valid signatures. If enough signatures become collected, then the measure will move to the general election ballot, which will take place November 8, 2022.
Future
Wyoming lawmakers tried to pass a recreational cannabis legalization bill this past legislative session. However, the bill fell short and didn’t make it out of the House of Representatives. Regardless, activists stepped forward to put cannabis measures on the ballot themselves. As more information becomes available for these Wyoming cannabis measures, we will update you with the latest.
Make sure to check back for more cannabis and hemp related news.