With five states voting on marijuana legalization next month, this is a pivotal year for marijuana policy no matter which way the contests turn out. The results will determine whether marijuana reform gains momentum heading into the next presidential administration or whether the pace of change will slow.
Businesses, interest groups and individuals have spent about$40 million dollars so far this year to support or oppose the measures on the November ballots, according to a Washington Post analysis of campaign finance records from the five states and Ballotpedia. Most of that campaign cash — about $29 million of it — has flowed to the pro-legalization side of the ledger. Legalization supporters have raised close to $20 million in California alone.
