Marijuana Laws: The latest Developments Surrounding the U.S.

Federal Marijuana Laws

Each state is responsible for drafting its own cannabis laws. Even if marijuana is legal in a state, it should not be consumed in state properties because the federal government doesn’t recognize marijuana.

The US government considers marijuana as a schedule 1 drug which is harmful to the body. The Controlled Substances Act also considers medical and recreational marijuana as the same. Since marijuana is a schedule 1 drug, it means its group with harder drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and meth.

The federal government considers cannabis as a very addictive drug without therapeutic properties. This means, doctors and other health professionals still can’t prescribe marijuana to patients.

If you are caught possessing marijuana when driving, then you will be subject to fines and possible jail term, even in states where it is legal.

 

Where is Marijuana Decriminalized?

Cannabis decriminalization is different from cannabis legalization. Cannabis decriminalization can be defined as a process which ends prohibition in a state. Although the end of prohibition doesn’t refer to complete legalization, some states have passed laws which reduces the fines and jail terms for possessing recreational marijuana. States which have decriminalized marijuana include Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Most of these states haven’t completely legalized the possession of cannabis, so its still considered as an offense which can result to fines.

 

States with Medical Marijuana Programs

CBD is currently legal is Thirty-three states. Nonetheless not all states have begun the process of regulating its use and some only cover only a few medical conditions.

States where you can buy legal CBD include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

In some states, measures have been taken to implement relatively restrictive CBD-focused programs as a way towards complete legalization. Missouri, Oklahoma, Indiana, Mississippi, Utah, Wyoming, Virginia, and Tennessee have implemented laws allowing patients to use CBD for severe conditions, while Texas and Iowa allow patients to use cannabis for all symptoms. Georgia state also passed a bill which allows the possession of 20 ounces of cannabis oil containing a maximum of 5% THC with at least a 1:1 THC to CBD ratio. South Carolina has one of the most less restrictive medical marijuana programs.

 

Recreational Marijuana States

Recreational marijuana can be freely consumed in Alaska, California, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and Washington D.C. Recreational cannabis is also legal in three tribes including the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, the Suquamish Tribe, and the Squaxin Island. While recreational marijuana is legal in D.C, the Congress has just started regulating the program. Residents can only buy marijuana legally at the dispensary, buying from the black market is still illegal.