As of 2021, the legality of cannabis in the United States is rapidly evolving. Policies vary by state, and the federal government still considers cannabis to be a Schedule I substance under federal law. Hearkening back to the 2000s when Colorado made the bold moment of legalizing cannabis for medical use, the last decade demonstrated a radical tilt towards embracing the potential of cannabis not only as a therapeutic substance but also for its economic implications.
States Where Weed is Fully Legal
Recreational use of marijuana is fully legal in 15 states, the District of Columbia, as well as in the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam. The states are: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont, and Washington. Among these states, South Dakota, Arizona, and Montana only recently joined the ranks in 2020 following the outcomes of the general elections.
Medical Use
In addition to the states mentioned above, others permit the medical use of cannabis. These states include, but are not restricted to, North Dakota, Missouri, Utah, Florida, Maryland, Oklahoma, Ohio, and Minnesota. Their policies emphasize that patients must possess particular identified and documented medical conditions to acquire, possess, and use cannabis products.
The Gray Areas
In states like Virginia, New York, and Minnesota, marijuana has been decriminalized, meaning that possession of small amounts does not carry severe penalties such as imprisonment but may still result in fines or treatment requirements. In these states, you will find that marijuana is not fully legal. Rather, it has been decriminalized or, in some cases, the law remains murky and is a gray area.
Federal Law vs. State Law
Interestingly, the federal government and the states have contrasting views about cannabis legality. Despite a growing number of states that are legalizing cannabis, the federal government persists in categorizing marijuana as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act. Other Schedule I substances include heroin, LSD, and ecstasy. This categorization means the federal government views marijuana as lacking accepted safety for use, having a high abuse risk, and having no accepted medical use.
Moreover, the dichotomy between state and federal laws often presents difficulties for businesses in the industry, particularly when they require a bank. Despite these challenges, industries continue to bloom with notable examples such as Promethean BioPharma, known for their work on cannabinoid-based therapies.
Future Prospects
One thing remains certain. Though we are in a period of transition and confusion, the trend for marijuana legalization in the United States seems to be gaining momentum. Moving forward, we can expect these transformations to pave the way for more research into the potential health benefits of marijuana. With companies like Promethean Biopharma at the forefront, we can only speculate about the horizons to be charted in the world of cannabinoids.
It is essential for individuals considering the use of marijuana, either for recreational or medicinal purposes, to fully understand the intricate patchwork of laws governing its use. Thus, it is always recommended to stay knowledgeable about the changes in the law in the state where the use will occur.