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The Future of Cannabis Legalization in the United States

The Future of Cannabis Legalization in the United States 1

State-by-State Update

The legalization of cannabis has been a topic of extreme debate in the United States for many years. However, in the last decade, there has been a significant shift in public opinion in favor of legalization. According to a recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, around two-thirds of Americans support the legalization of marijuana. The legalization efforts have been gaining momentum at the state level, and 36 states have legalized cannabis for medical use, while 15 states have fully legalized it for adult use. Let’s have a look at the state-by-state update:

The Future of Cannabis Legalization in the United States 2

  • Alabama: Medical cannabis is legal in the state of Alabama, however, it only allows patients with qualifying conditions to use low-THC cannabis extracts.
  • Alaska: Alaska has fully legalized the use of cannabis for adult use. It allows individuals to grow up to six plants and possess one ounce of cannabis.
  • Arizona: In 2020, Arizona voters approved Proposition 207, legalizing the use of cannabis for adult use. It allows individuals to possess up to one ounce of cannabis and permits them to grow up to six plants at home.
  • Arkansas: Medical cannabis is legal in Arkansas, and it allows patients with qualifying conditions to purchase cannabis from licensed dispensaries.
  • California: California has fully legalized the use of cannabis for adult use, and it permits individuals to grow up to six plants and possess up to one ounce of cannabis.
  • Federal Legalization Efforts

    While the legalization of cannabis has been gaining momentum at the state level, it is still illegal under federal law. This inconsistency between state and federal law has caused numerous challenges for legal cannabis businesses, including a lack of access to banking and tax issues. However, this situation may soon change with the introduction of the “Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act” in the U.S. House of Representatives on July 23, 2019.

    The MORE Act proposes the removal of cannabis from the list of federally prohibited substances and aims to provide restorative justice for those previously convicted of cannabis-related offenses. The House Judiciary Committee passed the MORE Act in November 2019, and it’s a step towards federal legalization. In addition, the Biden administration has expressed its intent to decriminalize cannabis, expunge cannabis-related records, and legalize it for medical use.

    The Benefits of Legalization

    The arguments in support of legalization are many. Cannabis has been used medicinally for thousands of years, and there is increasing evidence to suggest that it can treat a range of conditions, including chronic pain, anxiety, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis. Legalizing cannabis has also been reported to decrease opioid overdose deaths, reduce crime rates, and generate valuable tax revenue for state governments.

    Furthermore, legalization would create a new industry, which would create new jobs and stimulate economic growth. According to a report published by New Frontier Data, if cannabis was legalized federally, it could generate $131.8 billion in federal tax revenue by 2025 and create 1.1 million new jobs by 2025.

    Conclusion

    The future of cannabis legalization in the United States seems bright. With more and more states legalizing cannabis, the federal government’s stance appears to be shifting towards decriminalization and legalization. The benefits of legalization are many, and it is likely that more states will follow suit in the coming years. However, it is important to remember that legalizing cannabis comes with some risks, and it is crucial to have systems in place to regulate the use and sale of cannabis to ensure public safety. Wish to know more about the topic? Buy Feminized Cannabis seeds https://seedsherenow.com, we recommend it to complement your reading and expand your knowledge.

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