Among the remaining prohibitionist states, legalization of adult use in Delaware and Oklahoma was considered most likely, and Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island somewhat less likely; medical cannabis in Mississippi was called likely at the beginning of 2022.

[1] At the federal level, "a lack of consensus on the legislative strategy" shown in competing bills with both comprehensive and incremental approaches was said by a lobbyist at the beginning of the year to be "stunting the legalization effort".

[153] When the session ended without senate consideration of the bill, Beshear issued an executive order that created a committee to provide recommendations on ways forward for medical cannabis.

[156] The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court found in September that requests for expungement of past cannabis offenses, including possession prior to 2018 legalization, are entitled to a "strong presumption in favor" of approval.

[158] Governor of Oregon Kate Brown issued a mass pardon on November 21 for 45,000 persons convicted of simple possession.