The Green Wave: Marijuana Legalization Across the United States
The Green Wave: Marijuana Legalization Across the United States
The legalization of marijuana for both recreational and medical use is rapidly spreading across the United States.
Thirty-eight states and Washington D.C., have legalized medical marijuana.
As of June 1, 2024, 38 states and Washington, D.C., have legalized medical marijuana:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
States with Legal Recreational Marijuana (as of May 2024)
Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware,
Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts,
Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New
York, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Washington
D.C.
Tax Revenue
States with legal marijuana
have seen significant tax revenue increases. For example, in 2023, California
collected over $1 billion in marijuana tax revenue.
Pending Legislation
Several states have pending legislation to legalize marijuana, including: Hawaii, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania
Benefits and Concerns:
Legalization proponents cite
potential tax revenue, job creation, and reduced law enforcement costs as
benefits. However, concerns remain about potential health risks and increased
use among adolescents.
The Future of Marijuana:
The trend toward legalization
shows no signs of slowing down. As more states legalize
marijuana, it's crucial to monitor its impact and address any potential issues.
While exact figures are
difficult to determine due to the illicit nature of the market, it's estimated
that illegal marijuana sales in the U.S. amount to billions of dollars
annually. Some reports suggest that the illegal market still rivals or exceeds
certain states' legal market.
Compelling Argument for
Marijuana Legalization
This argument resonates with many people. The illicit marijuana market generates billions of dollars annually, funds that are currently channeled into criminal enterprises rather than benefiting society. By legalizing and regulating marijuana, these funds could be redirected to support state budgets, fund essential services like healthcare and education, revitalize infrastructure, and even alleviate the burden on the prison system.
Here's a Breakdown of the Potential
Benefits
Tax Revenue:
Legal marijuana sales could generate significant tax revenue for states,
providing a much-needed financial boost to support various public services. This
revenue could fund infrastructure projects, improve healthcare facilities,
bolster education programs, and invest in community development initiatives.
Economic Growth:
Legalization would create a legitimate industry, generating jobs across various
sectors, such as cultivation, processing, distribution, retail, and ancillary
services. This could stimulate economic growth and reduce unemployment rates.
Criminal Justice Reform:
Legalizing marijuana would decriminalize possession and use, freeing up law
enforcement resources to focus on more serious crimes. It could also lead to
the release of non-violent offenders serving time for marijuana-related
offenses, reducing prison overcrowding and associated costs.
Public Health and Safety:
Regulation would ensure product safety and quality control, protecting
consumers from contaminated or adulterated products. Additionally, legalizing
marijuana could reduce the stigma associated with its use, encouraging
individuals to seek help for potential substance abuse issues.
Research and Development:
Legalization could pave the way for increased research into the medical
benefits of marijuana, leading to the development of new treatments and
therapies for various conditions.
Of course, legalization also raises concerns about
potential negative impacts, such as increased youth access and potential for
abuse. However, these concerns can be addressed through thoughtful regulation,
education, and prevention programs.
The potential economic and social benefits of marijuana legalization are significant, and many states are already reaping the rewards. The question remains whether the rest of the country will follow suit and take advantage of this opportunity to turn a black market into a boon for society.
Keeping it Light
Why did the scarecrow win an
award?
Because he was outstanding in
fields of pot!
(I couldn’t help myself).
LEGAL POT
Biden administration plans to
reclassify marijuana, easing restrictions nationwide.
Cannabis is currently
classified along with drugs like heroin and LSD. The administration is expected
to reschedule it in a category that includes steroids and Tylenol with codeine.
April 30, 2024, 1:30 PM EDT /
Updated April 30, 2024, 6:47 PM EDT
Keeping it Real
While both medical sedatives
and medical marijuana can be used to treat similar conditions, their side
effects are like night and day... or should I say night and munchies?
Medical Sedatives
Common Side Effects:
Drowsiness, dizziness, impaired coordination, memory problems, dependence,
withdrawal, tolerance, paradoxical reactions, respiratory depression, and interactions
with other medications.
Long-Term Effects: Risk
of addiction, cognitive decline, negative impact on overall health.
Mechanism of Action: Slow
down brain activity by enhancing the effects of neurotransmitters like GABA.
Medical Marijuana
Common Side Effects:
Altered senses, dry mouth, increased appetite (aka the "munchies,"
leading to a sudden craving for chips, pretzels, snack cakes, particularly Ding
Dongs and chocolate chip cookies), impaired coordination, dizziness, anxiety,
paranoia, increased heart rate, and red eyes.
Long-Term Effects:
Possible cognitive impairment (especially in adolescents), the potential for
addiction (less than sedatives), and lung irritation (if smoked).
Mechanism of Action:
Interacts with the endocannabinoid system, influencing various physiological
processes.
Important Key Differences
Dependence and Withdrawal:
Medical sedatives are like that one clingy ex you can't shake off, while
medical marijuana is more like a casual fling.
Cognitive Effects:
Sedatives might make you forget your name, while marijuana might make you
forget what you were saying mid-sentence.
Respiratory Depression:
Sedatives can be a real downer (literally), while marijuana won't leave you
breathless... unless you're laughing too hard at a bad joke.
Therapeutic Effects:
Medical sedatives are like a warm blanket on a cold night, while medical
marijuana is like a multi-tool for your health toolbox.
Conclusion
While both medical sedatives and medical marijuana share some side effects, their overall profiles are as different as a sloth and a cheetah. Sedatives are more likely to lead to dependence and withdrawal, while marijuana might lead you to the snack aisle. Talking to your doctor about both options' potential risks and benefits is crucial to finding the best fit for your needs. And hey, if you end up with the munchies, at least you'll have some tasty snacks to enjoy!
The following Share
By Julie Tsirkin and Monica
Alba
WASHINGTON — The Biden
administration will take a historic step toward easing federal restrictions on
cannabis, with plans to announce an interim rule soon reclassifying the drug
for the first time since the Controlled Substances Act was enacted more than 50
years ago, four sources with knowledge of the decision said.
The Drug Enforcement
Administration is expected to approve an opinion by the Department of Health
and Human Services that marijuana should be reclassified from the strictest
Schedule I to the less stringent Schedule III. It would be the first time the
U.S. government has acknowledged its potential medical benefits and begun
studying them earnestly.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck
Schumer, D-N.Y., praised the administration for its move, saying it amounts to
"finally recognizing that restrictive and draconian cannabis laws need to
change to catch up to what science and the majority of Americans have said loud
and clear."
At the same time, he said he
is "strongly committed" to moving forward with both the SAFER Banking
Act and the Democratic bill to remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances
Act entirely. “Congress must do everything we can to end the federal
prohibition on cannabis and address longstanding harms caused by the War on
Drugs," he said in a statement.
Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J.,
also praised the administration’s move but cautioned that “we still have a long
way to go.”
Booker called on Congress in
a statement to "follow the lead of states around the country and legalize
cannabis for adult use and create a comprehensive taxation and regulatory
scheme."
“Thousands of people remain
in prisons around the country for marijuana-related crimes. Thousands of people
continue to bear the devastating collateral consequences of a criminal record,”
he said. “Legal marijuana businesses, especially those in communities hardest
hit by the War on Drugs, still have to navigate a convoluted patchwork of state
laws and regulatory schemes. I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle,
especially those representing constituents benefitting from medical or
adult-use programs, join me to pass federal legislation to fix these problems.”
However, there is weariness
among lawmakers who remember the last time Congress made a law regarding the
drug.
The Republican-led Senate
legalized hemp production in the 2018 farm bill, a decision that led to
synthetic and exotic cannabinoids’ being sold over the counter, often without
regulation, particularly in states where marijuana isn’t legal.
It’s a gray area that has
drawn pushback from both sides of the aisle, most recently with the rise of
Delta-8. This synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol product uses chemicals — some of
them harmful — to convert hemp-derived CBD into Delta-8 THC.
Julie Tsirkin
Julie Tsirkin is a correspondent covering Capitol Hill.
Monica Alba
Monica Alba is a White House correspondent for NBC News.
Gabe Gutierrez, Syedah Asghar, Michael Kosnar and Zoë
Richards contributed.
Helpful Links added by your blog host:
There are many resources available online
supporting the legalization of marijuana, with arguments ranging from economic
benefits to criminal justice reform and potential medical applications. Here
are a few credible sources to consider:
Gallup News: This poll indicates
that 70% of Americans support the legalization of marijuana, the highest level
ever recorded. The article also includes historical data on shifting attitudes toward
marijuana legalization.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/274363748932896
Data for Progress: This
survey reveals high support for legalizing marijuana at the federal level, even
among Republicans. The article highlights the growing consensus that current
federal laws are overly restrictive.
Pew Research Center: This
article reports that most Americans favor legalizing marijuana for both medical
and recreational use, with significant differences in opinion based on age and
political affiliation.
Marijuana Policy Project: This
organization advocates for marijuana policy reform and provides nationwide
resources and information on legalization efforts.
Link:
https://www.mpp.org/
These are just a few examples of the many resources
available online that support marijuana legalization. It's important to consult
various sources and consider different perspectives to form informed opinions
on this complex issue.
Picture Credits and Helpful Articles
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes
only and should not be considered legal advice. Marijuana laws vary by state
and are subject to change.
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