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:
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.
| Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 5, 2017 | OR | HB 2355 | Reduces Criminal Charges for Drug Possession | Bill Passed - House (36 - 23) |
| June 22, 2017 | MA | H 3776 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
| June 21, 2017 | MA | H 3768 | Authorizes Reforms to Recreational Marijuana Laws | Bill Passed - House (126 - 28) |
| June 21, 2017 | MA | H 3768 | Authorizes Reforms to Recreational Marijuana Laws | Bill Passed - House (126 - 28) |
| June 9, 2017 | FL | SB 8A | Establishes Rules for Growing Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8) |
| June 1, 2017 | CA | AB 1578 | Prohibits State Law Enforcement from Cooperating with Federal Marijuana Law Enforcement | Bill Passed - House (41 - 33) |
| May 31, 2017 | IL | SB 639 | Authorizes Drug Crime Prosecutions Across State Lines | Bill Passed - House (105 - 2) |
| May 24, 2017 | ME | LD 347 | Authorizes the Prescription of Lethal Doses of Drugs to Terminally Ill Patients | |
| May 23, 2017 | ME | LD 347 | Authorizes the Prescription of Lethal Doses of Drugs to Terminally Ill Patients | "Ought to Pass as Amended" Report Not Adopted - House (61 - 85) |
| May 18, 2017 | DE | SB 24 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana to Treat Anxiety | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 0) |
| May 16, 2017 | DE | SB 24 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana to Treat Anxiety | Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 1) |
| May 11, 2017 | NH | HB 640 | Reduces Penalties for Marijuana Possession | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 6) |
| May 10, 2017 | VT | S 22 | Reduces Penalties for Possession of Marijuana | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (79 - 66) |
| May 10, 2017 | WI | AB 242 | Requires Drug Screening for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - House (62 - 35) |
| May 5, 2017 | VT | S 22 | Reduces Penalties for Possession of Marijuana | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 9) |
| May 3, 2017 | VT | H 170 | Authorizes Recreational Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (75 - 71) |
| April 22, 2017 | IA | HF 524 | Authorizes the Use of Medical Marijuana | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 7) |
| April 22, 2017 | IA | HF 524 | Authorizes the Use of Medical Marijuana | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (83 - 11) |
| April 13, 2017 | ND | SB 2344 | Establishes Guidelines for Medical Marijuana | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 9) |
| April 13, 2017 | MO | HB 90 | Establishes Prescription Drug Monitoring Program | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9) |
| April 13, 2017 | IA | HF 524 | Authorizes the Use of Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0) |
| April 12, 2017 | CO | SB 192 | Authorizes Transfers of Retail Marijuana to Medical Marijuana Licensees | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
| April 12, 2017 | CO | SB 192 | Authorizes Transfers of Retail Marijuana to Medical Marijuana Licensees | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
| April 10, 2017 | TN | HB 109 | Amends Marijuana Possession Laws | Bill Failed - House (44 - 45) |
| April 6, 2017 | WV | SB 386 | Authorizes the Use of Medical Marijuana | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 24) |
| April 6, 2017 | IN | HB 1438 | Authorizes Counties or Municipalities to Approve Syringe Exchange Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16) |
| April 5, 2017 | WV | SB 386 | Authorizes the Use of Medical Marijuana | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 6) |
| April 4, 2017 | WV | SB 386 | Authorizes the Use of Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (76 - 24) |
| April 3, 2017 | MO | HB 90 | Establishes Prescription Drug Monitoring Program | Bill Passed - House (102 - 54) |
| March 29, 2017 | OH | SB 1 | Increases Penalties for Fentanyl-Related Drug Convictions | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6) |
| March 29, 2017 | WV | SB 386 | Authorizes the Use of Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6) |
| March 27, 2017 | TN | HB 173 | Prohibits Local Government from Enacting Drug-Related Sanctions | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5) |
| March 27, 2017 | TN | HB 173 | Prohibits Local Government from Enacting Drug-Related Sanctions | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5) |
| March 21, 2017 | IA | HF 524 | Authorizes the Use of Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (96 - 0) |
| March 21, 2017 | OR | SB 863 | Prohibits Marijuana Retailers from Customer Record-Keeping | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 6) |
| March 8, 2017 | NH | HB 640 | Reduces Penalties for Marijuana Possession | Bill Passed - House (318 - 36) |
| March 2, 2017 | WA | SB 5223 | Prohibits Localities from Permitting Heroin Injection Sites | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23) |
| Sept. 8, 2016 | MI | HB 4210 | Authorizes Edible Medical Marijuana Products | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9) |
| Sept. 8, 2016 | MI | HB 4827 | Establishes Medical Marijuana Tracking System | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10) |
| Sept. 8, 2016 | MI | HB 4209 | Establishes Regulations for Medical Marijuana Facilities | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| Sept. 8, 2016 | MI | SB 141 | Establishes Penalties for the Unauthorized Sale of Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| Sept. 8, 2016 | MI | SB 1014 | Exempts Medical Marijuana Rules from Administrative Procedures Act | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
| Aug. 1, 2016 | NJ | A 457 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana Treatment for PTSD | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9) |
| June 16, 2016 | NJ | A 457 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana Treatment for PTSD | Bill Passed - House (56 - 13) |
| May 24, 2016 | OH | HB 110 | Authorizes Immunity for Individuals Reporting Drug Overdose | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| May 18, 2016 | IL | SB 2228 | Classifies Minor Marijuana Possession as Civil Violation | Bill Passed - House (64 - 50) |
| May 16, 2016 | LA | SB 271 | Expands Eligibility for Medical Marijuana | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 14) |
| May 11, 2016 | LA | SB 271 | Expands Eligibility for Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (62 - 32) |
| May 10, 2016 | OH | HB 523 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (71 - 26) |
| April 25, 2016 | CA | SB 966 | Prohibits Extending Sentences for Repeat Drug Offenders | Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 16) |
| April 21, 2016 | NH | HB 1631 | Amends Penalty for Possession of Marijuana | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Failed - Senate (14 - 10) |
| April 20, 2016 | LA | SB 271 | Expands Eligibility for Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16) |
| April 19, 2016 | IL | SB 2228 | Classifies Minor Marijuana Possession as Civil Violation | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 14) |
| April 19, 2016 | LA | SB 271 | Expands Eligibility for Medical Marijuana | Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| April 5, 2016 | NE | LB 643 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (30 - 15) |
| March 29, 2016 | HI | HCR 127 | Authorizes a Study on the Potential Impact of Drug Legalization | Joint Resolution Passed - House (37 - 7) |
| March 16, 2016 | PA | SB 3 | Establishes Medical Marijuana Program | Bill Passed - House (149 - 43) |
| March 15, 2016 | KY | HB 160 | Establishes 1-for-1 Syringe Exchange Program | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
| March 8, 2016 | SD | SB 171 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana | Bill Failed - House (25 - 43) |
| March 7, 2016 | FL | HB 307 | Amends Medical Marijuana Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
| March 4, 2016 | HI | HB 2707 | Authorizes Nurses to Certify Medical Marijuana Patients | Bill Passed - House (38 - 9) |
| Feb. 25, 2016 | CO | SB 80 | Establishes Regulations for Secured Medical Marijuana Cultivation | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15) |
| Feb. 25, 2016 | UT | SB 73 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| Feb. 25, 2016 | VT | S 241 | Authorizes Recreational Use of Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| Feb. 23, 2016 | WY | SF 96 | Classifies 3 Ounces of Marijuana Edibles as a Felony | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
| Feb. 23, 2016 | OR | SB 1511 | Establishes Regulations for Marijuana Dispensaries | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10) |
| Feb. 23, 2016 | SD | SB 171 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| Feb. 22, 2016 | UT | SB 89 | Authorizes the Use of Medicinal Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 8) |
| Feb. 14, 2016 | NM | SJR 5 | Authorizes the Use of Marijuana | Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 24) |
| Feb. 11, 2016 | NH | HB 1694 | Authorizes the Recreational Use of Marijuana | "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - House (190 - 112) |
| Feb. 3, 2016 | IN | SB 80 | Authorizes Pharmacists to Decline to Sell Certain Cold Medicines | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8) |
| Jan. 29, 2016 | NM | HB 195 | Specifies Employer is not Liable for Medical Marijuana Workers' Compensation Costs | Bill Passed - House (33 - 29) |
| Jan. 21, 2016 | MD | SB 517 | Authorizes Marijuana Paraphernalia | Veto Override Passed - House (86 - 55) |
| Jan. 21, 2016 | MD | SB 517 | Authorizes Marijuana Paraphernalia | Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 17) |
| July 2, 2015 | OR | SB 460 | Authorizes Retail Sale of Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (40 - 19) |
| June 26, 2015 | WA | HB 2136 | Amends Regulations Regarding Recreational Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (59 - 38) |
| June 25, 2015 | OR | HB 2041 | Establishes Sales Tax on Retail Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (43 - 15) |
| June 18, 2015 | DE | HB 39 | Decriminalizes Possession of Small Amounts of Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 9) |
| June 3, 2015 | LA | HB 149 | Amends Penalties for Marijuana Possesion | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 13) |
| June 2, 2015 | DE | HB 39 | Decriminalizes Possession of Small Amounts of Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (24 - 14) |
| May 30, 2015 | IL | SB 33 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder | Bill Passed - House (68 - 36) |
| May 21, 2015 | IL | HB 218 | Classifies Marijuana Possession as a Civil Violation | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 19) |
| May 13, 2015 | WI | AB 191 | Requires Drug Testing for Job Training Programs | Bill Passed - House (62 - 33) |
| May 13, 2015 | LA | HB 149 | Amends Penalties for Marijuana Possesion | Bill Passed - House (54 - 37) |
| May 7, 2015 | HI | HB 321 | Establishes a Medical Marijuana Dispensary System | Conference Report Adopted - House (36 - 13) |
| May 7, 2015 | TX | SB 339 | Authorizes Medical Use of Cannabis | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5) |
| May 7, 2015 | KS | HB 2049 | Reduces Penalties for Marijuana Possession | Bill Passed - House (81 - 36) |
| May 4, 2015 | CO | SB 14 | Authorizes Caregivers to Administer Medical Marijuana Treatments to Certain Students on School Property | Bill Passed - House (51 - 13) |
| May 4, 2015 | LA | SB 143 | Authorizes Pharmacies to Distribute Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
| April 23, 2015 | IL | HB 218 | Classifies Marijuana Possession as a Civil Violation | Bill Passed - House (62 - 53) |
| April 23, 2015 | MO | HB 830 | Authorizes Cultivation of Industrial Hemp | Bill Passed - House (104 - 41) |
| April 15, 2015 | IA | SF 484 | Expands Medical Marijuana Uses | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 19) |
| April 10, 2015 | WA | SB 5052 | Amends Medical Marijuana Regulation System | Bill Passed - House (60 - 36) |
| April 6, 2015 | ID | S 1146 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana Oil | Bill Passed - House (39 - 30) |
| March 26, 2015 | NJ | ACR 224 | Expands New Jersey's Medical Marijuana Program | Joint Resolution Passed - House (42 - 23) |
| March 23, 2015 | MD | HB 121 | Amends Mandatory Sentences for Certain Drug Offenses | Bill Passed - House (85 - 55) |
| March 14, 2015 | NM | SB 383 | Authorizes Decriminalization of Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 20) |
| March 10, 2015 | HI | SB 879 | Reduces Penalties for Possession of Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 3) |
| March 10, 2015 | HI | HB 321 | Establishes a Medical Marijuana Dispensary System | Bill Passed - House (43 - 8) |
| March 9, 2015 | UT | SB 259 | Authorizes Use of Medical Cannabis | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 15) |