Since the turn of the century, there has been a demand to legalize marijuana consumption. This highly therapeutic herb is popular among young people and those who follow alternative medicine and live an alternative lifestyle. Despite several studies demonstrating the advantages of marijuana smoking, the globe remains split on whether marijuana legalization should occur.
Marijuana is authorized for medical use in 37 jurisdictions, and recreational marijuana usage is legal in 18 states, owing to its promise of being a medicinal plant.
Marijuana usage can directly impact the brain. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), marijuana use can impair brain functioning, including memory, learning, attention, decision-making, coordination, and emotions.
The clamor to legalize marijuana usage is stronger than ever. Despite the scientific community’s cautious welcome, conservative sectors of society are critical of marijuana use in general. Even if the criticism might be fierce, it is apparent that marijuana has several advantages, particularly as an alternative treatment for chronic pain.
Marijuana Legalization in the United States
Legalizing marijuana usage in the United States has been a long and winding road. However, more and more states are seeing the advantages of the marijuana sector. As a result, they are changing their laws to accommodate and encourage recreational marijuana firms. In 2022, one could wonder: which states are more likely to legalize recreational marijuana in the future?
Although medicinal marijuana is legal in most states, recreational marijuana is still debatable. Legislation in favor of recreational marijuana usage has been passed, but the process has been gradual.
1. Arkansas
Marijuana usage has been legal in the state of Arkansas since 2016. However, it is only authorized for medicinal purposes.
As of 2021, legislation amending the Telemedicine Act will allow marijuana patients to receive telemedicine certification. Arkansas can also pass Senate Bill 654, which allows visitors from other states to visit marijuana operations in Arkansas. Both legislations are scheduled to go into effect in January 2022.
Meanwhile, proponents of recreational marijuana are pressing for legislation that would make recreational marijuana usage legal. The Arkansas True Grass organization is spearheading the effort to collect 89,151 signatures to support the Arkansas Recreational Marijuana Amendment of 2022. If enacted, this measure will allow anyone to grow and cultivate their own marijuana and people over the age of 21 to purchase four ounces of marijuana daily.
2. North Dakota
Cannabis legalization in North Dakota has always encountered stiff opposition. Before the 2022 marijuana legalization referendum, the state senate rejected a House bill that sought to legalize the plant’s recreational usage.
For example, the North Dakota Cannabis Caucus is enthusiastic about launching a fresh legalization proposal by 2022.
3. Missouri
A proposal to legalize marijuana for individuals 21 and older was launched in December 2021. Although there are now laws governing the use of medicinal marijuana, the proposal will make improvements if enacted by 2022.
The proposal also supports recreational marijuana usage, claiming economic benefits as justification for legalizing the construction of distilleries.
4. Mississippi
Mississippi is taking great moves toward legalizing marijuana for medical purposes. The Mississippi Senate approved the long-awaited measure 47-5, legalizing marijuana for herbal medicine usage.
Mississippians endorsed Senate Bill 2095, a comprehensive legalization bill, as early as 2020. This legislation permits people with particular medical illnesses to acquire marijuana with a doctor’s prescription.
5. Idaho
With the Personal Adult Marijuana Decriminalization Act, the state of Idaho will start the discourse about marijuana legalization this year (PAMDA).
Earlier in 2021, the Supreme Court ruled that a provision restricting the petitioning procedure for ballot propositions was unconstitutional. This is a significant shift, and proponents of marijuana usage are relieved since it means that PAMDA will be passed shortly.
The Benefits of Legalizing Marijuana
While the debate over whether marijuana should be legalized is never-ending, an increasing number of individuals support the legalization of marijuana usage. It is not unexpected given that specialists from Altitude Organic Cannabis identified benefits in the large-scale marijuana sector through years of study and development.
1. Positive Tax Revenue Impact
Colorado and Washington are excellent instances of this. Tax income has been substantial in many states since marijuana was legalized.
Colorado, for example, collected more than $302 million in taxes and fees from the recreational and medicinal marijuana companies. Meanwhile, marijuana sales in Colorado totaled more than $187.5 million.
2. Job Creation and Income Generation
When it comes to jobs, legalizing recreational and medicinal marijuana sectors can help any state create revenue. Setting up marijuana farms for medical purposes will employ locals while also kicking off the industry’s economic activities.
3. Investment Possibilities
Marijuana legalization can potentially boost the economy at large, both locally and nationally. It now hinges on whether the state legalizes marijuana usage first this year. At present, because the process of legalizing marijuana is taking its time, large investors are hesitant to participate in the market. However, the industry’s future is bright, and all that is required is universal legalization for recreational use.
Key Takeaway
Cannabis is currently legal for recreational use in 18 states and the District of Columbia. Another 13 states, as well as the US Virgin Islands, have made its usage legal. It’s difficult to say who’ll follow the legalization of marijuana. Progress has been challenging owing to the continued disruptions to grassroots movements and court sessions caused by COVID-19. States like Hawaii and Arkansas have built impassioned efforts to gather signatures and sway lawmakers toward reform. Still, hurdles such as anti-weed governors and divisive legislatures stack the deck against them. What’s important, however, is that you buy from legitimate sources and make sure that you use marijuana in states where it is legal and safe.
