Several states face threats of repealing the legalization of the plant in 2026

In several states, voter-driven prohibitionist initiatives are underway to abolish markets for the plant for adult use.

In Maine and Arizona, activists are collecting signatures to place ballot measures that would undermine the legalization laws in those states. If passed, the Arizona initiative would eliminate the state's licensed retail market. The Maine initiative would also eliminate the state's regulated market for adult-use cannabis, thus removing the possibility for consumers to legally grow quantities of the flower for personal use at home.

In Massachusetts, activists have already collected the necessary signatures to introduce a similar repeal measure, titled the "Plant Sensitive Policy Restoration Act," to voters. In Massachusetts and Maine, allegations persist that voter signatures supporting the proposals were obtained fraudulently.

In Idaho, a constitutional amendment will appear on the November ballot. If passed, it would prohibit voters from ever again having the opportunity to decide on state marijuana policies. Last year, state legislators voted to include the amendment on the 2026 ballot.

Idaho currently imposes some of the harshest cannabis-related penalties in the nation. Last year, lawmakers passed a law mandating minimum sentences for first-time cannabis possession offenses. Armentano emphasized the need for reformers to oppose these and similar attempts to reverse the situation, stating, "The public remains committed to legalizing adult use and access to cannabis, and it is our responsibility to galvanize this public opinion and ensure it prevails in 2026 in the state legislature and at the ballot box."

If we turn our attention to Puerto Rico, things change, since there is no such thing as a "political vote" here.

The real risk in Puerto Rico is not repeal, but stagnation.

While in some states the debate is about "removing what has already been legalized ," in Puerto Rico the problem is different:

The main risk: falling behind

• Recreational legalization projects are presented, but they do not advance .

• The issue is being used as a political banner, but without any real will to approve it.

• Lack of consensus between parties and fear of the electoral cost.

Puerto Rico is more like states that indefinitely postpone legalization than those that try to reverse it.

While in several US states the challenge is to defend what has already been gained , in Puerto Rico the challenge is to break the political inertia .