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The short answer is: we don’t know.
The long answer is a bit more complicated. The legalization of cannabis is an evolving issue, and the federal government’s stance on it is constantly changing. Right now, cannabis is legal in some form in 33 states, but it is still illegal at the federal level.
This means that, even though cannabis may be legal in your state, it is still technically illegal under federal law. This can create a lot of confusion and
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The History of Cannabis in the United States
The history of cannabis in the United States can be traced back to the early colonists, who brought the plant with them from Europe. Cannabis was widely used for a variety of purposes, including medicine, fabric and rope production, and evenCannabis was widely used for a variety of purposes, including medicine, fabric and rope production, and even food.
In the early 1800s, marijuana was commonly prescribed by doctors for a variety of ailments. By the mid-19th century, however, attitudes towards cannabis began to change. In response to concerns about its potential dangers, several states began to ban its sale and use.
federal government criminalized marijuana in 1937 with the passage of the Marijuana Tax Act. This law made it illegal to grow, sell or possess cannabis in the United States. Despite this federal ban, some states continued to allow its use for medical purposes.
In 1996, California became the first state to legalize medical marijuana. Since then, a growing number of states have passed their own laws legalizing cannabis for medicinal or recreational use. However, marijuana remains illegal under federal law.
The current administration has indicated that it is unlikely that federal laws will change in the near future. However, some lawmakers are working on legislation that would decriminalize cannabis at the federal level.
The Current State of Cannabis in the United States
Cannabis is currently legal for medical and recreational use in 33 U.S. states, plus the territories of Guam and Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. Ten states have legalized cannabis for recreational use only, while 23 have legalized it for both medical and recreational purposes.
The current federal stance on cannabis is that it is a Schedule I substance, which means that the government does not recognize any medical use for it and considers it to be as dangerous as drugs like heroin. This categorization makes it very difficult for scientists to study cannabis and its potential therapeutic benefits.
However, this may soon change. In early 2019, House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi said that she believes that cannabis will be federally legal within the next few years. And in March 2019, Senator Cory Booker introduced the Marijuana Justice Act, which would remove cannabis from the list of Schedule I substances and expunge federal convictions for possession of small amounts of the drug. The bill has gained support from several high-profile lawmakers, including Senators Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren.
It remains to be seen whether or not federal legalization will actually happen in the near future, but it seems likely that changes will be made to U.S. cannabis laws in the coming years.
The Future of Cannabis in the United States
The future of cannabis in the United States is looking bright. Public opinion is shifting rapidly in favor of legalization, and several states have already legalized the plant for either medicinal or recreational purposes.
The most likely scenario is that cannabis will be federally legal within the next decade. Several bills have been introduced in Congress that would deschedule cannabis and leave it up to the states to regulate.
The STATES Act, introduced by Senators Elizabeth Warren and Corey Gardner, is the most comprehensive federal legalization bill to date and has bi-partisan support. If passed, it would effectively end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level.
While there is still a lot of work to be done, it seems inevitable that cannabis will eventually be legal in all 50 states.
Why Federal Legalization of Cannabis Might Take Longer Than You Think
The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp—defined as cannabis plants with extremely low concentrations of the psychoactive compound THC—from the federal controlled substances list. This cleared the way for states to create their own unregulated hemp industries, and for CBD derived from hemp to be sold legally nationwide. Many people assumed that full legalization of cannabis would be the next logical step. But it’s not that simple.
For one thing, Recreational use of cannabis is still illegal under federal law. That means that even if your state has legalized it, you can’t buy it or use it in public places without violating federal law. And because federal law takes precedence over state law, that means the Cannabis industry is still operating in a legal grey area.
Secondly, there is still a lot of stigma surrounding cannabis use, and many people remain opposed to legalization. This is especially true among older generations and conservative lawmakers. As long as there is significant opposition to legalization, it is unlikely that Congress will take any action on the issue.
And finally, even if Congress did legalize cannabis tomorrow, it would probably take years for the industry to be fully up and running. States would need to set up regulating bodies, businesses would need to get licenses, and farmers would need to start growing crops. So even if federal legalization happens soon, it will probably be a while before you can walk into a store and buy a joint legally.
