*By Jacqueline Corba* The nation may get greener on Tuesday night. "There's a lot more senate and congressional races in which marijuana has become an issue than ever before," Cannabis Voter Project Director Sam D'Arcangelo told Cheddar's CannaBiz on Tuesday. "Marijuana now more than ever has become an issue that politicians are talking about." The Cannabis Voter Project is an initiative launched by HeadCount, a nonpartisan and nonprofit group that registers voters at popular concerts and events that are attended largely by younger generations. Four states could relax their policies on marijuana after this midterm election. Legalizing weed for recreational use is up for a vote in North Dakota and Michigan, and Missouri and Utah could legalize the drug for medicinal use. "Cannabis has only really become an important issue for a lot of people in the last few years," D'Arcangelo said. "A lot more people are going to the polls with that in mind." According to [Gallup](https://news.gallup.com/poll/243908/two-three-americans-support-legalizing-marijuana.aspx), 66 percent, or two-thirds, of Americans are in favor of legalization. Driving that all-time high of support are [millennials, in particular](http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/10/08/americans-support-marijuana-legalization/). D'Arcangelo said if Michigan legalizes marijuana at the recreational level, it could signal a sea change for the entire Midwest, since policy reform often starts at the state level. "Washington and Colorado legalized back in 2012 and then the dominoes fell, so to speak, across the West Coast," D'Arcangelo said. "So if it goes through in Michigan, which is looking like it probably will, the next places you want to look to are places like Illinois and Ohio where there's been a lot of talk about marijuana legalization at the state legislative level that hasn't gotten rolling in earnest." Ahead of the midterms former Speaker of the House John Boehner penned an op-ed in The [Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/articles/washington-needs-to-legalize-cannabis-1541361855) calling for legalization at the federal level. Boehner [now serves on the board of cannabis producer Acreage Holdings](https://cheddar.com/videos/why-john-boehner-changed-his-mind-on-cannabis). "When a guy like John Boehner ... is now coming around and publishing an op-ed like this, I think that's a pretty clear indicator that things are going to be changing pretty soon," D'Arcangelo said. For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/how-pot-reform-could-drive-more-voters-to-polls).

Share:
More In Politics
Closing Bell: February 22, 2018
Paul Manafort and Robert Gates face 32 new charges in Robert Mueller's Russia investigation. Snap CEO Evan Spiegel gets a record-breaking payday. Teenagers across the country and politicians continues to weigh in on gun control in the wake of the mass shooting in Parkland, FL.
Why This Student-Driven Movement on Gun Reform is Different
In the wake of last week's mass shooting teenagers are becoming outspoken advocates for change. In these rallies driven by students the advocates demand a better future for their peers. Bustle's Senior Political Correspondent Erin Delmore explains what makes this movement different than others.
Parkland Students Push for Gun Reform
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student Kyle Kashuv says he's changed his viewpoint on gun control after witnessing such a tragedy in his community. Cheddar's Hope King and Baker Machado speak with Kashuv one day after the 16-year-old student met with Florida legislators.
From Columbine to Parkland: A Journey of Gun Reform
Dave Cullen, Author of "Columbine" joins The Hive from Tallahassee, Florida where he's following the protests of Parkland students. He's been interviewing groups of students over the past few days and gives us a glimpse inside how they plan to keep the #NeverAgain movement alive.
A Message from Parkland to Congress
VF Hive hosts Kristen Scholer and Jon Kelly discuss the week's biggest news stories. From student protests to Jared Kushner's security clearance, it's been a non-stop week in Washington.
Opening Bell: February 22, 2018
Cheddar speaks with two Congresswomen about what, if anything, will move the needle on gun reform after the Parkland school shooting. In tech news, Apple is reportedly working on new AirPods. Twitter alienated conservatives by accidentally freezing their accounts. Plus, we're joined by Olympic luger Chris Mazdzer who recently became the first American to medal in the men's singles luge event.
Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) on the Future of Gun Reform
New York Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney discusses the future of gun reform in the U.S. following the Parkland school shooting. We talk about the students who marched on the Florida State Capitol and how they're changing the conversation around guns.
Load More