An October 2014 University of Wyoming poll of Wyoming residents found that 35 percent supported legalizing adult marijuana use, while 60 percent opposed such a measure. [16] However, a large majority was in favor of allowing adults to use marijuana if prescribed by a doctor (72% for, 25% against). [16] Compared to an earlier survey in 2000, the 2014 results showed a modest increase in support for legalizing personal marijuana use and no change in support for medical marijuana use. [16] A 2016 study by the University of Wyoming showed that 81% of Wyoming residents supported the legalization of prescribed medical cannabis. [10] During the 2021 legislature, committees passed HB 209, which would have legalized, taxed and regulated adult cannabis, and HB 82, which would have required the state to investigate the possible creation of a medical cannabis program. Unfortunately, the entire House of Representatives did not pass either bill by the deadline. Wyoming`s neighbors in Colorado, South Dakota and Montana have all legalized cannabis for adults. A recent poll found that 54% of Wyoming residents support legalizing personal cannabis possession for adults. Ask your legislators to follow the will of the majority of Wyoming residents and legalize and regulate cannabis for adults! In 2016, Wyoming House of Representatives legislation to decriminalize possession of an ounce (28 g) or less of marijuana (sponsored by Rep. James Byrd of Cheyenne) failed for the third year in a row. [8] [9] Cannabis is strictly illegal in Wyoming. The state has some of the strictest cannabis laws in the United States. [1] [2] Cannabis itself is not licensed for medical purposes, but a 2015 law allows for the limited use of non-psychoactive cannabidiol.
Efforts are underway to put two initiatives on the 2022 ballot, one to legalize medical cannabis and the other to decriminalize personal use. Wyoming is one of the few states that continues to criminalize adults and patients for possession and use of cannabis. The legislator recently put forward two proposals that would change that. HB 106 would decriminalize small amounts of cannabis for adults, while HB 143 would establish a medical cannabis program for patients with serious health conditions in the state. Both laws would reduce senseless cannabis-related arrests and make Wyoming a fairer state to live in. If you live in Wyoming, contact your state representative and ask them to support these important reforms. Last year, two voting actions on cannabis reform were officially approved by the Wyoming Secretary of State`s office. Campaigners set out to collect 41,775 signatures from valid voters to ask two separate questions about cannabis policy reform on the 2022 ballot — one that would establish a medical cannabis program for patients in the state and the other that would decriminalize personal possession of limited amounts of cannabis. Unfortunately, these efforts ran into several challenges – including delays in state approval of petitions – and announced that they would not be able to submit the required number of signatures in time for the February deadline. Instead, activists will focus on qualifying their actions for the 2024 elections, while in the meantime, they will also focus on reform through the state legislature. This year, the Wyoming legislature is focusing solely on the state budget, while 2023 promises to pass cannabis policy reform. A 2020 national poll found that 54% of Wyoming residents support the legalization and regulation of adult-use cannabis, an increase of nearly 20 points from 2014.
In 2021, a bill was introduced by lawmakers that would legalize cannabis for recreational and medical purposes. However, the bill later died in the Wyoming House of Representatives after missing a deadline. [11] Possession of less than three ounces (85 g) of cannabis is an offence punishable by up to one year in prison and a fine of $1,000; Possession of more than three ounces is a crime. [3] On 11. In June 2021, two campaign initiatives were launched by the Wyoming Libertarian Party, one to legalize cannabis for medical purposes and the other to decriminalize personal use. [12] On August 11, after initially certifying 100 signatures, the Wyoming Secretary of State approved the start of general signature collection for the initiatives. 41,776 signatures are needed to put each initiative on the ballot for the 2022 parliamentary elections. [13] Libertarian Representative Marshall Burt, who helped fund unsuccessful efforts to legalize cannabis through legislation, supports the initiatives. Along with patient advocates and Libertarian National Committee Chairman Joe Bishop-Henchman on the steps of the Wyoming Capitol before handing over the initiatives to the secretary of state, he said, “The legislature knows this is coming,” and expressed confidence that organizers would be able to collect enough signatures to put the initiatives on the ballot. If the efforts are successful, they will be the first initiatives to appear on a ballot in Wyoming in three decades. [14] [15] In July 2015, a law came into force authorizing the use of cannabidiol to treat seizures.