Next week's midterm elections (see our voter guide here<\/a>) will give Americans a chance to shake up the leadership of their towns, states, and country, and recent polls suggest that cannabis reform will be one of the issues expected to win big this year. A Democratic win in Congress could allow progressive lawmakers to finally advance bills to overturn the federal prohibition of cannabis, while four states are offering voters a chance to legalize medical or recreational marijuana. <\/p>\n Some candidates in surprising places are embracing cannabis reform: a Democrat running for attorney general of Arkansas has promised to fight for the rights of medical marijuana users who want to own guns (currently illegal under federal law). We know we’ll be anxiously waiting for voting results on Election Day.<\/p>\n In other news, Swiss scientists have discovered that liverwort moss contains a cannabinoid that could have many of the same medical benefits as THC, without the high. Meanwhile in Canada, just two weeks after legalization, the Great White North is still struggling with weed shortages, and several Asian countries are threatening to punish their citizens if they’re caught smoking pot overseas. <\/p>\n Cannabis Ballot Measures Likely to Succeed, Surveys Say<\/strong><\/p>\n Cannabis legalization measures coming up for a vote across four states next week have a good shot at success, according to recent polls. In Michigan, voters will weigh in on Proposal 1, which aims to l<\/u>egalize the cultivation, use, and sale of pot<\/a> for adults over 21. One recent poll found that 55% of respondents said they would vote yes<\/a>, with only 41% opposed, and a second poll found even higher support, with 58% in favor<\/a> and 37% opposed. Support for Measure 3 in North Dakota — which would allow adults to grow and possess unlimited quantities of weed<\/a> and seal the records of all nonviolent former pot offenders — is a little more narrow, but still a majority at 51%<\/a>, with 36% opposed.<\/p>\n In Utah, polls report that 51% of voters<\/a> are in favor of a proposal to create a comprehensive medical cannabis law, but support has been dwindling ever since state lawmakers preemptively proposed a “compromise” bill<\/a> to create a more restrictive program. In Missouri, voters are faced with three competing initiatives<\/a> — two constitutional amendments and one statute — each of which has its own take on how the Show-Me State should legalize medical marijuana. The results of this election are likely to sow confusion, because the state has no guidance on what to do if an amendment and a competing law are both approved.<\/p>\n Several Wisconsin cities and counties are including advisory questions<\/a> allowing voters to express their support or opposition to legalization on their local ballots. These advisory questions are non-binding, and will not directly change state law, but are expected to bring a larger number of liberal voters to the polls this year<\/a>.<\/p>\n Support for cannabis reform is also at a historic high nationwide, with 66% of all Americans in favor of full legalization<\/a>, according to a recent Gallup survey<\/a>. While support from traditionally pot-friendly groups like Millennials and Democrats remains strong (78% and 75% respectively), the survey also found majority support among Republicans (53%) and — for the first time ever — Americans aged 55 or older (59%). "The train has left the station," Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), champion of numerous cannabis reform bills, told NBC News<\/em><\/a>. "I see all the pieces coming together… It's the same arc we saw two generations ago with the prohibitions of alcohol."<\/p>\n NAACP Joins Anti-Cannabis Group in Opposing Michigan Legalization Measure<\/strong><\/p>\n As Election Day draws near, anti-cannabis groups are working overtime to erode the majority support that legalization measures have attracted. In Michigan, the NAACP’s Detroit branch just made a surprise announcement encouraging voters to just say no to Proposal 1<\/a>. While most cannabis advocates support legalization as a means to end the disproportionate enforcement of pot prohibition laws against communities of color<\/a>, the NAACP in Michigan is arguing that legal weed would increase crime while posing a risk to public health.<\/p>\n "This ballot initiative adds another layer to the systematic racism that has held our communities of color — particularly African Americans — in bondage for hundreds of years," said Kamilia Landrum<\/a>, deputy director of the NAACP’s Detroit chapter. Kevin Sabet, president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, which is spearheading the opposition to Michigan’s ballot measure<\/a>, was quick to jump on the bandwagon. "If you want rich white guys to sell pot gummy bears in your community, you should vote for this initiative," said Sabet<\/a>.<\/p>\n Utah Lawmaker Publicly Tries Pot Ahead of Ballot Measure, While Debate Over Compromise Bill Rages On<\/strong><\/p>\n Support for Proposition 2, the ballot measure to create a comprehensive medical marijuana program in Utah, has been declining ever since lawmakers announced a controversial new bill that would create a more restrictive program<\/a>, regardless of whether or not the ballot measure passes. Former state Senator Steve Urquhart told the Associated Press<\/em><\/a> that the compromise deal was an “electioneering ploy… intended to suppress voter turnout [and] to confuse the voters,” but state House Speaker Greg Hughes countered that the bill was not intended to derail support. “If Proposition 2 were to fail, we’d still want to move forward with a model to provide medical cannabis to patients who need it,” he said to the Salt Lake Tribune<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, state Sen. Jim Dabakis came up with his own unique way to show his support for medical marijuana — filming himself trying pot for the first time. Dabakis traveled to Las Vegas, where he legally purchased and ate some edibles<\/a> before checking out a Cirque Du Soleil performance.<\/p>\n