For many years, the legalization of marijuana in the United States has been a contentious issue. But, as of 2021, the legalization landscape has undergone a substantial change. It can be challenging to stay up to date on the most recent rules and regulations pertaining to the drug. As an increasing number of states have legalized it for both medical and recreational use.
We’ll examine the current state of marijuana legalization in the United States in this article. As well as the legal status of marijuana in various states and potential future developments. We’ll cover all you need to know to stay up to date on this complicated and quickly changing issue. From the origins of marijuana prohibition to the most recent changes in state and federal legislation.
The legalization of marijuana for recreational use
While marijuana usage is still prohibited on a federal level. But more and more states are choosing to legalize it for medical or recreational purposes. With a September 2021 deadline, 18 states and the District of Columbia have legalised marijuana for adult recreational use.
A change in popular opinion about marijuana is reflected in this trend toward legalization. A Pew Research Center survey from 2019 found that 67% of Americans now support marijuana legalization. This support grew from just 32% in 2006. Legislation’s backers contend that it can bring in a sizable amount of tax income for the states. Decrease the number of persons imprisoned for nonviolent drug offences. Also it offer medicinal advantages to patients with a variety of ailments.
The laws governing the sale and use of marijuana vary from state to state. For instance, some states impose stringent restrictions. Like as, on the quantity of marijuana that people can own or grow. Other states take a more lax stance. Only authorized dispensaries are allowed to sell marijuana in some states. Whereas private marijuana cultivation is permitted in other states. In order to stay out of trouble with the law, people need to be aware of the regulations in their own state. Critics of the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes contend that it may increase youth usage. Also they worry impair driving, and have other detrimental consequences on public health. Several legislative opponents are likewise concerned.
The increasing number of states that have chosen to legalize marijuana for medical use. They suggests that the tide is turning. Despite the fact that the fight over its legalization is likely to last for some time. It will be interesting to watch what effects legalizing marijuana has on public health, public safety, and the economy. As other states experiment with alternative methods.
States that legalized recreational use of Marijuana
According to the report, marijuana is currently legal for adult recreational use in 18 states and the District of Columbia as of the cutoff date of September 2021. These are the 18 states:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Illinois
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Oregon
- South Dakota
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
The legalization of marijuana for medical use
In the United States, there has long been discussion about the use of marijuana for medical reasons. While marijuana use is still prohibited on a federal level, more and more states are choosing to legalize it for medical purposes. 36 states and the District of Columbia have passed laws localizing marijuana for medicinal use as of September 2021.
Patients with a variety of medical ailments have greatly benefited from the legalization of medical marijuana. Several conditions, including epilepsy, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, and multiple sclerosis, have symptoms that marijuana has been demonstrated to aid with. Also, medical marijuana has been proven to be successful in treating a number of mental health issues, including anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
States and the District that have legalized marijuana for medical use are:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Washington
It will be interesting to watch how the situation develops on a national level. As more states legalize medical marijuana. Patients can already access medicinal marijuana to help with symptom relief. Also improve their quality of life enhancement in 36 states and the District of Columbia.
States that have no intention to legal medical or recreational marijuana program
While a growing number of states have legalized marijuana for medical or recreational use, there are still some states that have no intention to do so. As USA legal data shows, the cutoff date of September 2021, there are still 14 states that have not legalized marijuana in any form, and show no signs of doing so in the near future.
There are a variety of reasons why these states have chosen not to legalize marijuana. Some cite concerns about the potential negative health effects of marijuana use, while others worry about the impact of legislation on public safety, including impaired driving and workplace safety. Some states may hesitant to legalize marijuana due to federal prohibition and potential legal challenges.
Despite the lack of support for marijuana legalization in these states, there is growing public support for the legalization of medical and recreational marijuana use. A recent survey found that 91% of Americans support the legalization of medical marijuana, and 67% support the legalization of recreational marijuana. While there may be no immediate plans to legalize marijuana in these 14 states, As more and more states legalise marijuana. It is possible that public opinion in these states may shift over time.
Those who live in states where marijuana remains illegal will continue to face legal consequences for possessing, using, or distributing the drug. It is important for individuals to understand the laws in their state. For the potential consequences of breaking the law. Overall, while the majority of states have legalized medical. There are still some that have chosen not to do so. The debate over marijuana legalization is likely to continue in these states and across the country as a whole.
States that have no intention to legalize medical or recreational marijuana programs
The 14 states that have no intention to legalize medical or recreational marijuana programs are:
- Alabama
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Nebraska
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Federal law on Marijuana & federal government’s programs on marijuana
Marijuana has been legalized for either medical or recreational use in several states, the drug is still prohibited by federal law. According to the Controlled Substances Act, marijuana is categorized as a Schedule 1 substance. Which indicates that it has a high potential for abuse. Also have no recognized medicinal value.
In states where marijuana has been legalized, the federal government has typically refrained from enforcing its prohibition on the drug. This strategy was made official in 2013 when the Obama administration released the “Cole Memorandum,” a memo. In accordance with specific requirements, the memo directed federal prosecutors to deprioritize the enforcement of marijuana prohibition in states where the drug was legal.
The Cole Memorandum’s requirements included steps to prohibit marijuana sales to minors. The transfer of marijuana from jurisdictions where it is legal to states where it is illegal, and other criminal behavior connected to the marijuana sector. The federal government would typically leave states that had legalized marijuana alone as long as they could show that they were successfully resolving these issues.
Under the Trump administration, this strategy persisted despite worries that the Justice Department may reverse course and start pushing down on states that had legalized marijuana. The Cole Memorandum was, however, revoked by Attorney General Jeff Sessions in the beginning of 2018, which alarmed some proponents of marijuana legalization.
Notwithstanding the Cole Memorandum’s repeal. The federal government has continued to refrain from enforcing marijuana prohibition in states where the drug is legal. This is partly because there is growing pressure on the federal government to act to change federal marijuana regulations and because several members of Congress have stated their support for marijuana legalization.
In reality, the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, which would remove marijuana from the list of prohibited substances and expunge certain marijuana-related criminal records, was enacted by the House of Representatives in 2021. Although the Senate has not yet enacted the bill, it is an indication that efforts to change federal marijuana regulations are gaining pace.
Although the federal government does not actively enforce marijuana prohibition in states where the drug is legal, it is nonetheless crucial to keep in mind that marijuana is still illegal under federal law. This implies that although it happens relatively infrequently in practice, people who possess, consume, or distribute marijuana are technically subject to federal prosecution.
Overall
Although the federal government has typically refrained from enforcing marijuana prohibition in places where the drug is allowed, the topic of federal marijuana legislation is nevertheless complicated and constantly changing. It will be interesting to see how federal rules continue to change in reaction as the movement for marijuana legalization continues to gain traction.