It may be hard to grasp the full idea of the cannabis industry in a country as big as the United States. Because there are so many different places that have their own sets of cannabis rules and regulations, the cannabis scene here will vary depending on where you are. For many years, each state has been dealing with its own different legalization processes regarding marijuana.
As many of you know, there are currently 33 states in the USA that have legalized and permitted the use of medical cannabis as an alternative to traditional methods. Of these 33 states, 11 have also agreed to decriminalize and legalize the recreational use of marijuana. Although it seems to be far from becoming a nationwide thing, cannabis legalization is something to look forward to in the USA’s near future.
Because of the extensive list of things to talk about in the USA’s connection to cannabis, we will give you guys a brief description of what the cannabis scene is like in the USA as a whole. Let’s get started:
HISTORY OF MARIJUANA IN THE UNITED STATES
Like many other countries around the world, the United States was first introduced to cannabis through trade deals with the British Empire. They were first given hemp plants as a means to produce many industrial tools. You see, hemp was a very useful commodity due to its strong fibers. Because of such, it was commonly cultivated and produced by American farmers. As the demand for hemp started growing, the cannabis industry in the USA also saw a steady rise. However, Congress passed a law in 1906 which influenced the accessibility of medical marijuana. This enactment planned to patch up any problems and risks that marijuana had on users. The first state to push through with such an act was California.
In 1937, the Marijuana Tax Act was first drafted in the United States. This allowed authorities to collect a fixed amount from any individual who was involved in any cannabis, hemp, or weed activity. This had the goal of making every one of the three unlawful. True enough, the production of the three ceased and the marijuana industry in the USA was going downhill.
After the events of the Second World War, cannabis still remained highly prohibited. However, the government decided to look into reforming the laws that governed such prohibition. After a 1969 dispute between the courts rendered the current laws ineffective, several government bodies agreed to make the Controlled Substances Act and classify cannabis in Calendar I.
In today’s USA, around 30 states have sanctioned clinical cannabis practices, and 11 currently license and approve of any recreational utilization of cannabis for those above 21 years old.
MARIJUANA IN THE USA TODAY
Here are the states/areas in which medical cannabis is legal in the United States:
- Utah
- Arkansas
- West Virginia
- Arizona
- Rhode Island
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Pennsylvania
- Oklahoma
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Ohio
- North Dakota
- New York
- New Jersey
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- Missouri
- Montana
In addition to these places, the ones that actually allow the recreational use of cannabis are: Alaska, Nevada, Oregon, California, Colorado, Vermont, Northern Mariana Islands, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Massachusetts, Guam, and Washington.
The cannabis laws and regulations in each state greatly vary with one another. It could be entirely fine to smoke cannabis in public in the state of California but not in Indiana. Technically, nationwide law still states that purchasing cannabis seeds is still a criminal act. Even in places where cannabis consumption is permitted, the cultivation and possession of cannabis seeds may be illegal if you are without a permit.
Some of the cannabis policies that are common to numerous states include: the maximum number of cannabis plants that citizens may cultivate in private is six (6). While this cannabis may be used for recreational purposes like in Colorado or Washington, it must still be consumed in private and out of public’s sight. Physical marijuana dispensaries present in the state indicate that there is a good chance that purchasing marijuana seeds is openly accepted. Examples of states that allow the operation of these establishments are California and Alaska. In fact, both Crop King Seeds and Sonoma Seeds have first established their seed banks in Washington and California, respectively. For high-quality weed seeds, you check them out if you are in the area or simply visit their websites to place your orders.
LEGALIZATION MARIJUANA IN THE UNITED STATES:
One of the most exciting things to look forward to is knowing which state decides to decriminalize and embrace the many benefits that cannabis has to offer. With millions of supporters and advocates around the country, it is easy to imagine the United States as a nation rich with marijuana stories. Of course, there are already several states which have already accepted marijuana for what it is but 1/3 of the whole USA still hasn’t legalized marijuana for either medical or recreational purpose.
There is no doubt in our minds that cannabis will eventually be accepted throughout the whole country. Because of the widely accepted medical enhancements and recreational contributions that cannabis has given to people, the USA has been one of the leading countries to make use of the cannabis plant. In fact, it is the most consumed substance in the whole US, even if states where it is unlawful. With a long history connected to cannabis and some ideal climates for cannabis to flourish, the marijuana scene in the USA is definitely well and alive.
Remember that marijuana is still technically prohibited at both the local and national government levels. In many cases, several citizens are still being imprisoned and penalized for undertaking any cannabis activity. It will be fascinating to perceive how the coming years will influence the reformation of cannabis policies in 2020 and the years to come, given that marijuana still continues to be supported by many.
