Grassroots—Legalize Cannabis Party

History and Electoral Performance:

• Grassroots—Legalize Cannabis Party founded in 2014 by Oliver Steinberg.
• Party split from Grassroots Party due to opposition to cannabis prohibition.
• Achieved major party status in Minnesota in 2018 with 5.7% of votes.
• Lost major party status in 2022 due to candidates not meeting 5% vote threshold.
• Candidate for State Auditor in 2022 received over 1% of votes, maintaining minor party status.
• Gubernatorial candidates like Chris Wright and Steve Patterson received varying numbers of votes in different elections.
• Influence on elections such as 2018 Minnesota Attorney General race and 2020 US Senator race noted.
• Results in Minnesota Gubernatorial and Federal Elections from 2014 to 2022 detailed.

Conflict with Democratic Party:

• Democratic leaders accused the party of hindering Democratic candidates in Minnesota.
• Analysis found the party took votes from both Republicans and Democrats.
• Several Grassroots—Legalize Cannabis candidates supported Democratic candidates in key races.
• Conflict intensified in 2022 with attempts to change the party name to attract Republicans.
• Internal disputes over party direction and conflicts with the Democratic Party continued.

Party Activities and Positions:

• Grassroots—Legalize Cannabis Party advocates for the legalization of cannabis.
• The party is focused on cannabis policy reform and aims to change laws related to cannabis use.
• Actively engages in promoting cannabis legalization through political activities.
• Party’s support for reducing income taxes and its stance on legalizing cannabis highlighted.
• Attempts to maintain minor party status in 2022 through strategic candidate nominations discussed.

Key Candidates and Elections:

• Notable candidates like Chris Wright, Steve Patterson, and others mentioned.
• Results of various elections like the 2020 US Representative races and the 2022 special election highlighted.
• Party’s performance in different races and its impact on the electoral landscape discussed.
• Details on the party’s nominations, endorsements, and candidate strategies provided.

Legal History and Global Context:

• Overview of the legal history of cannabis in the United States, including key legislation like the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937.
• Timeline of cannabis law evolution and major legal reforms impacting cannabis legislation outlined.
• Treaty law implications, such as the rescheduling of cannabis in 2020, discussed.
• Mention of other countries like Canada, Germany, UK, and Uruguay enacting cannabis laws.
• Broad context on the global landscape of cannabis legislation and its historical significance.

Grassroots—Legalize Cannabis Party Data Sources