Key Votes
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About the Selection and Descriptions of Key Votes
Vote Smart provides easy access to congressional and state voting records and maintains a collection of key votes grouped by issue. Vote Smart uses the following criteria to select key votes:
- The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
- The vote should be clear for any person to understand
- The vote has received media attention
- The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
- Occasionally, if a specific bill is consistently inquired about on the Voter's Research Hotline, the vote will be added
Vote Smart provides a summary of the version of the bill text associated with each selected key vote. Our summaries are written by Vote Smart's staff and interns, who adhere to our strict policies and procedures in order to guarantee absolute impartiality and accuracy. They do not necessarily reflect the content of the final version of the bill, but rather the version voted on in that stage. While many procedural votes take place before a full chamber vote, our voting stages reflect the final reading of each chamber vote. Each key vote selection is reviewed by the project's community of advisors, who are political scientists and journalists from all fifty states.
For more information about the legislative process, see here.
results per page:
| Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 20, 2022 | AK | HB 246 | Prohibits the Release of Marijuana Convictions | Bill Passed - House (30 - 8) |
| April 15, 2018 | AK | HB 316 | Amends Rules Concerning Release of Marijuana Conviction Records | Bill Passed - House (30 - 10) |
| May 4, 2022 | AK | HB 289 | Establishes a State Marijuana Industry Task Force | Bill Passed - House (33 - 5) |
| May 6, 2021 | AL | SB 46 | Authorizes the Legalization and Regulation of Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (68 - 34) |
| March 12, 2020 | AZ | HCR 2045 | Requires Warning Labels on Medical Marijuana Among Other Provisions | Bill Passed - House (31 - 27) |
| Sept. 9, 2019 | CA | AB 1291 | Requires Cannabis Businesses to Enter Into Labor Peace Agreements | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 14) |
| May 31, 2013 | CA | AB 473 | Establishes a State Agency to Regulate Medical Marijuana Sales | Bill Failed - House (35 - 37) |
| Aug. 26, 2019 | CA | SB 223 | Authorizes Medical Cannabis on K-12 Campuses | Bill Passed - House (43 - 22) |
| May 31, 2018 | CA | AB 1793 | Amends Marijuana Convictions | Bill Passed - House (43 - 28) |
| June 1, 2017 | CA | AB 1578 | Prohibits State Law Enforcement from Cooperating with Federal Marijuana Law Enforcement | Bill Passed - House (41 - 33) |
| May 29, 2014 | CA | AB 1894 | Establishes a State Entity to Oversee Medical Cannabis | Bill Failed - House (26 - 33) |
| May 31, 2012 | CA | AB 2312 | Regulations for Marijuana Dispensaries | Bill Passed - House (41 - 30) |
| May 2, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1230 | Authorizes Marijuana Consumption on the Premises of Hospitality Establishments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (41 - 22) |
| May 8, 2013 | CO | HB 1317 | Establishes Regulations for the Retail Marijuana Industry | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 28) |
| May 8, 2013 | CO | HB 1318 | Establishes Sales Taxes for Retail Marijuana | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 28) |
| May 4, 2015 | CO | SB 14 | Authorizes Caregivers to Administer Medical Marijuana Treatments to Certain Students on School Property | Bill Passed - House (51 - 13) |
| April 30, 2019 | CO | SB 19-013 | Authorizes Marijuana to be Prescribed in lieu of Opiates | Bill Passed - House (47 - 16) |
| March 5, 2021 | CO | SB 21-111 | Establishes a Program to Support Entrepreneurs in the Marijuana Industry | Bill Passed - House (40 - 23) |
| May 9, 2022 | CO | SB 22-155 | Expands the State Medical Marijuana Grant Program | Bill Passed - House (42 - 23) |
| March 17, 2021 | CO | HB 21-1090 | Rescinds Marijuana Possession Offenses of Two Ounces or Less | Bill Passed - House (45 - 19) |
| April 18, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1234 | Authorizes the Delivery of Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (38 - 27) |
| Feb. 22, 2022 | CO | HB 22-1037 | Authorizes Dual Marijuana Businesses | Bill Passed - House (53 - 11) |
| May 15, 2012 | CO | HB 1005 | Establishes Limits for Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (38 - 24) |
| April 26, 2022 | CT | HB 5329 | Increases Regulation of Marijuana Sales | Bill Passed - House (98 - 48) |
| April 25, 2012 | CT | HB 5389 | Authorizes the Use of Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (96 - 51) |
| June 7, 2022 | DE | HB 371 | Repeals Penalties for Possession of 1 Ounce of Marijuana | Veto Override Failed - House (20 - 20) |
| June 30, 2019 | DE | SB 45 | Establishes Marijuana Usage by a Juvenile as a Civil Violation | Bill Passed - House (34 - 7) |
| May 5, 2011 | DE | SB 17 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (27 - 14) |
| May 19, 2022 | DE | HB 372 | Amends the Delaware Marijuana Control Act | Bill Failed - House (23 - 15) |
| May 5, 2022 | DE | HB 371 | Repeals Penalties for Possession of 1 Ounce of Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (26 - 14) |
| June 2, 2015 | DE | HB 39 | Decriminalizes Possession of Small Amounts of Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (24 - 14) |
| March 7, 2023 | DE | HB 1 | Authorizes Recreational Cannabis Use for Adults 21 and Older | Bill Passed - House (28 - 13) |
| March 9, 2023 | DE | HB 2 | Establishes State Regulations and Taxes for Recreational Cannabis | Bill Passed - House (27 - 13) |
| Jan. 25, 2024 | DE | HB 285 | Repeals Certain Requirments for Medical Marijuana Card | Bill Passed - House (26 - 10) |
| March 10, 2020 | FL | SB 1286 | Expands the List of Contraband in Specified Facilities | Bill Passed - House (71 - 43) |
| March 13, 2019 | FL | SB 182 | Authorizes the Use of Medical Marijuana by Smoking | Bill Passed - House (101 - 11) |
| March 5, 2019 | GA | HB 324 | Authorizes Sale of Medical Marijuana Oil | Bill Passed - House (123 - 40) |
| May 7, 2015 | HI | HB 321 | Establishes a Medical Marijuana Dispensary System | Conference Report Adopted - House (36 - 13) |
| April 30, 2019 | HI | HB 673 | Amends Law Regarding Medical Cannabis | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (33 - 17) |
| April 5, 2024 | HI | SB 2487 | Expands the Uniform Controlled Substances Act | Bill Passed - House (32 - 18) |
| March 4, 2016 | HI | HB 2707 | Authorizes Nurses to Certify Medical Marijuana Patients | Bill Passed - House (38 - 9) |
| March 10, 2015 | HI | HB 321 | Establishes a Medical Marijuana Dispensary System | Bill Passed - House (43 - 8) |
| March 29, 2016 | HI | HCR 127 | Authorizes a Study on the Potential Impact of Drug Legalization | Joint Resolution Passed - House (37 - 7) |
| March 7, 2019 | HI | HB 1383 | Authorizes Marijuana Possession of 3 Grams or Less | Bill Passed - House (34 - 16) |
| April 22, 2017 | IA | HF 524 | Authorizes the Use of Medical Marijuana | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (83 - 11) |
| April 30, 2014 | IA | SF 2360 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana Oil | Bill Passed - House (77 - 20) |
| March 10, 2020 | IA | HF 2589 | Expands the Medical Marijuana Program to Include Severe Autism and PTSD | Bill Passed - House (52 - 48) |
| March 12, 2024 | IA | HF 2605 | Establishes Hemp Regulations and Penalties | Bill Passed - House (79 - 16) |
| March 21, 2017 | IA | HF 524 | Authorizes the Use of Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (96 - 0) |
| April 6, 2015 | ID | S 1146 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana Oil | Bill Passed - House (39 - 30) |
| Jan. 31, 2022 | ID | H 446 | Amends Medical Marijuana Laws and Regulations | Bill Passed - House (65 - 5) |
| Nov. 27, 2018 | IL | SB 3136 | Authorizes More Discretion by the State Police in Positive Cannabis Testing Terminations | Veto Override Passed - House (86 - 24) |
| May 31, 2019 | IL | HB 1438 | Authorizes Sale and Use of Recreational Cannabis | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 47) |
| May 30, 2015 | IL | SB 33 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder | Bill Passed - House (68 - 36) |
| May 18, 2016 | IL | SB 2228 | Classifies Minor Marijuana Possession as Civil Violation | Bill Passed - House (64 - 50) |
| Jan. 6, 2011 | IL | SB 1381 | Legalize Medical Marijuana | Bill Failed - House (56 - 60) |
| April 23, 2015 | IL | HB 218 | Classifies Marijuana Possession as a Civil Violation | Bill Passed - House (62 - 53) |
| April 14, 2021 | IL | HB 147 | Establishes Regulations for Delta-8 and Other Cannabinoid Products | Bill Passed - House (96 - 15) |
| April 17, 2013 | IL | HB 1 | Authorizes the Use of Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (61 - 57) |
| April 11, 2019 | IL | HB 1690 | Amends Criminal Record Expungement Law | Bill Passed - House (69 - 36) |
| Feb. 25, 2013 | IN | HB 1006 | Amends the Criminal Code | Bill Passed - House (80 - 13) |
| Feb. 22, 2021 | IN | HB 1028 | Establishes a Defense for a Person who Operates a Vehicle with Marijuana in Their Metabolism | Bill Passed - House (79 - 15) |
| May 4, 2019 | KS | SB 28 | Authorizes CBD Oil for Patients with Debilitating Medical Conditions | Conference Report Adopted - House (87 - 36) |
| May 7, 2015 | KS | HB 2049 | Reduces Penalties for Marijuana Possession | Bill Passed - House (81 - 36) |
| March 27, 2019 | KS | HB 2244 | Authorizes the Use of of CBD Oil Containing THC for Certain Medical Conditions | Bill Passed - House (89 - 35) |
| March 30, 2023 | KY | SB 47 | Establishes Legal Medical Cannabis | Bill Passed - House (66 - 33) |
| March 17, 2022 | KY | HB 136 | Authorizes and Regulates the Sale of Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (59 - 34) |
| Feb. 20, 2020 | KY | HB 136 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (65 - 30) |
| May 11, 2016 | LA | SB 271 | Expands Eligibility for Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (62 - 32) |
| May 24, 2022 | LA | HB 988 | Prohibits Discrimination Against Employees Using Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (26 - 8) |
| May 11, 2021 | LA | HB 652 | Reduces Penalties for Possession of Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (68 - 25) |
| May 13, 2015 | LA | HB 149 | Amends Penalties for Marijuana Possesion | Bill Passed - House (54 - 37) |
| May 29, 2013 | LA | HB 103 | Reduces Penalties for Marijuana Possession | Bill Passed - House (54 - 38) |
| May 11, 2022 | LA | HB 629 | Prohibits Use of Marijuana Odor to Justify Warrantless Searches | Bill Passed - House (66 - 28) |
| May 23, 2023 | LA | HB 286 | Authorizes Expungements for Certain Amounts of Possession of Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (69 - 30) |
| April 12, 2018 | LA | HB 579 | Authorizes Additional Uses for Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (60 - 40) |
| May 20, 2020 | LA | HB 211 | Prohibits State Commissioner from Penalizing Financial Institutions for Providing Services to Cannabis-Related Businesses | Bill Passed - House (73 - 20) |
| May 18, 2022 | MA | S 2823 | Amends Existing State Cannabis Laws | (153 - 2) |
| June 21, 2017 | MA | H 3768 | Authorizes Reforms to Recreational Marijuana Laws | Bill Passed - House (126 - 28) |
| Jan. 21, 2016 | MD | SB 517 | Authorizes Marijuana Paraphernalia | Veto Override Passed - House (86 - 55) |
| April 8, 2023 | MD | HB 556 | Requires Legalization of Recreational Cannabis by July 1, 2023 | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (104 - 35) |
| April 1, 2022 | MD | HB 837 | Establishes Regulations for the Legal Use of Cannabis and Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (89 - 41) |
| April 5, 2014 | MD | SB 364 | Reduces Penalties for Possession of Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (78 - 55) |
| April 10, 2023 | MD | SB 516 | Authorizes an Independent Maryland Cannabis Administration | Bill Passed - House (102 - 35) |
| April 1, 2013 | MD | SB 580 | Expands Affirmative Defense to include a Caregiver Providing Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (95 - 37) |
| March 11, 2020 | MD | HB 550 | Expands Marijuana Decriminalization Policies | Bill Passed - House (93 - 44) |
| March 25, 2013 | MD | HB 1101 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (108 - 28) |
| April 10, 2018 | ME | LD 1719 | Authorizes Adult-Use of Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (112 - 34) |
| Sept. 24, 2020 | MI | HB 4982 | Authorizes Convicts of Marijuana Misdemeanors to Apply for Expungement | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 7) |
| Oct. 2, 2018 | MI | HB 4668 | Prohibits Marijuana Infused Beer | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (101 - 4) |
| Dec. 12, 2013 | MI | SB 660 | Authorizes the Growth and Sale of Pharmaceutical-Grade Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (87 - 22) |
| Oct. 5, 2023 | MI | SB 179 | Authorizes Native American Tribes and the State to Form Individual Regulations and Taxes for Cannabis | Bill Passed - House (91 - 15) |
| June 3, 2020 | MI | HB 5700 | Expands Access to Medical Marijuana Licenses | Bill Passed - House (100 - 9) |
| May 16, 2014 | MN | SF 2470 | Establishes a Patient Registry for Medical Marijuana | Conference Report Adopted - House (89 - 40) |
| April 25, 2023 | MN | HF 100 | Establishes Cannabis Policy and Finances | Bill Passed - House (71 - 59) |
| May 12, 2023 | MO | HB 202 | Amends State Industrial Hemp Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (105 - 47) |
| May 14, 2020 | MO | HB 1896 | Requires Employees of Medical Marijuana Businesses to Submit Fingerprints for Criminal Background Checks | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (124 - 21) |
| April 23, 2015 | MO | HB 830 | Authorizes Cultivation of Industrial Hemp | Bill Passed - House (104 - 41) |
| Jan. 19, 2022 | MS | SB 2095 | Amends Medical Marijuana Laws | Bill Passed - House (105 - 14) |
| April 27, 2011 | MT | SB 423 | Medical Marijuana | Conference Report Adopted - House (70 - 30) |