U.S. Marijuana Policy Shifts Amid Growing Legalization Support \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The U.S. remains divided on marijuana policy, but recent political shifts indicate a move toward broader acceptance. Both major presidential candidates have expressed support for reclassifying marijuana, while voters in several states will decide on legalization this fall. Public support for marijuana has grown, with more states regulating its sale.
Marijuana Legalization in the U.S.: Quick Looks
- The U.S. is divided on marijuana policy, with federal laws lagging behind state actions.
- Marijuana remains illegal federally, but public support has surged in recent years.
- Both 2024 presidential candidates back reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug.
- Twenty-four states have legalized recreational marijuana; 38 states allow medical use.
- Florida and other states will vote on marijuana legalization measures in the upcoming election.
- The DEA will hold a hearing in December to discuss reclassifying marijuana under federal law.
- Opposition to legalization includes Florida’s Republican Party and Gov. Ron DeSantis.
- Marijuana usage is on the rise, with daily use surpassing alcohol consumption in 2022.
Deep Look \ U.S. Marijuana Policy
The landscape of marijuana policy in the United States is undergoing significant changes, as more states move to legalize its recreational and medical use, and federal attitudes toward the drug shift. Although marijuana remains illegal under federal law, recent political developments indicate that the country could be on the verge of a broader acceptance of cannabis, both at the state and national levels. U.S. Marijuana Policy Shifts Amid Growing Legalization Support.
Federal and State Legal Divide
Marijuana remains classified as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act, meaning it is considered a substance with high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. Under federal law, possessing marijuana is a crime punishable by fines or imprisonment. Under U.S. Marijuana Policy, selling or cultivating marijuana carries even harsher penalties, with prison sentences ranging from five years to life, depending on the quantity involved.
Despite these federal restrictions, many states have forged their own path. State marijuana laws show as of now, 24 states and the District of Columbia, representing over half of the U.S. population, have legalized recreational marijuana. In these states, state marijuana laws on cannabis is taxed and regulated similarly to alcohol. Seven additional states have reduced penalties for small-scale possession, replacing jail time with fines. Furthermore, 38 states have legalized medical marijuana, giving patients access to the drug for various health conditions.
Political Shifts at the Federal Level
Both of the leading candidates in the 2024 presidential election have signaled their support for revising federal marijuana policy. Current President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have each expressed willingness to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous substance. The Biden administration has already taken steps toward this goal. In May, the Justice Department proposed downgrading marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug, a category that includes substances like ketamine and certain anabolic steroids. This move would acknowledge marijuana’s medical uses and reduce the severity of criminal penalties associated with it.
However, the process of reclassifying marijuana involves several steps. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has scheduled a public hearing for December 2, 2024, to gather input on the proposal. Given the timeline, it is possible that a final decision will not be made until after Biden leaves office.
Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, has long advocated for marijuana decriminalization. She has criticized its current Schedule I classification, calling it “absurd” to list marijuana alongside drugs like heroin and LSD. On the Republican side, Donald Trump has also expressed support for medical marijuana research. Recently, he posted on social media, voicing his support for reclassifying marijuana to Schedule III and endorsing a Florida ballot measure that would legalize recreational marijuana in the state.
State-Level Ballot Initiatives \ U.S. Marijuana
Several states will have the opportunity to vote on marijuana legalization in the upcoming election. Florida, where medical marijuana is already legal, will vote on a proposal that would legalize recreational cannabis for adults over 21. The measure, which would allow sales from existing medical marijuana dispensaries, needs 60% voter approval to pass. If successful, the law would go into effect six months after the election. The campaign has become one of the most expensive in the country, drawing tens of millions of dollars in contributions from supporters. The Florida Republican Party and Governor Ron DeSantis are among the initiative’s opponents, with DeSantis warning that legalization would degrade the state’s quality of life by creating a noticeable “marijuana stench.”
Voters in North and South Dakota will also consider marijuana legalization for the third time in recent years, having previously rejected similar measures. Meanwhile, in Nebraska, state officials are verifying signatures for a petition to legalize and regulate medical marijuana, which could qualify the measure for the statewide ballot.
U.S. Marijuana Policy Rising Public Support
Public sentiment around marijuana has shifted dramatically over the last few decades. Cannabis public support has grown. In a Gallup poll conducted in 2022, 70% of American adults said they believe marijuana should be legal, marking the highest level of support since Gallup began polling the issue in 1969. By comparison, only about one-third of the public supported legalization 20 years ago. Support for marijuana is particularly strong among young voters, a key demographic in swing states for the upcoming presidential election.
The U.S. rise in marijuana use mirrors growing acceptance. A report published earlier this year revealed that nearly 18 million Americans used marijuana on a daily or near-daily basis in 2022, a sharp increase from fewer than 1 million users in 1992. For the first time, daily marijuana use surpassed daily alcohol consumption in the United States, reflecting the cultural shift surrounding the drug.
Regulatory Battles Over Hemp-Derived Products
As legal marijuana becomes more widespread, states are also contending with the sale of unregulated products derived from hemp, which is federally classified as distinct from marijuana. One of the key concerns involves products that contain delta-8 THC, a synthesized form of CBD prevalent in hemp. Delta-8 THC is sold in products like gummies and snacks that resemble familiar candies and chips, making them appealing to children.
Several states have moved to ban or restrict synthetic hemp products. South Dakota and Wyoming enacted new laws on July 1 to curtail the sale of delta-8 THC products. In Indiana, authorities have warned retailers to remove delta-8 products that contain illegal amounts of delta-9 THC, the psychoactive compound found in marijuana.
In Missouri, where recreational marijuana was legalized in 2022, officials are grappling with concerns over unregulated hemp-derived products. Governor Mike Parson has raised alarms about certain items being marketed to children, leading the state’s health department to crack down on these products. Parson, joined by Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, recently announced the formation of a task force to address the sale of unregulated psychoactive cannabis products.
“We are not the only state facing this issue and not the only state taking action,” Parson said, underscoring the broader concerns around synthetic cannabis products.
U.S.-Marijuana
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