Legalization proposed, but does not pass, in 2021 session

Last update: April 2, 2021

Wyoming currently trails far behind other states when it comes to sensible marijuana policies. Sadly, Wyoming is one of just 14 states with no medical cannabis law, and one of only 19 that still jails its residents for simple possession of cannabis.

During the 2021 legislative session, committees passed HB 209, which would have legalized, taxed, and regulated cannabis for adults, and HB 82, which would have required the state to study the possible creation of a medical cannabis program. Unfortunately, the full House chamber took up neither bill before its deadline to do so. The state will now have to wait until 2022 to take up cannabis reform again.

Wyoming's neighbors in Colorado, South Dakota, and Montana have all legalized cannabis for adults. A recent poll found that 54 percent of Wyomingites support legalizing personal possession of cannabis for adults.

Ask your lawmakers to follow the will of the majority of Wyomingites and legalize and regulate cannabis for adults!

ACLU study shows staggering racial disparities in marijuana arrests 

According to a 2018 ACLU study, Wyoming ranks ninth in the nation for the greatest racial disparities in marijuana possession arrests. African Americans in Wyoming are 5.2 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession as whites, despite similar usage rates.

While legalization does not eliminate disparities, it dramatically reduces the total number of cannabis arrests. Ask your lawmakers to end cannabis prohibition and replace it with a fair and just system of regulation.

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