why isn t marijuana legalized

Why Isn’t Marijuana Legalized?

While the legal marijuana market is estimated at $4.4 billion per year, the illicit market is as much as three times larger. New York and Colorado have learned from their mistakes and are working to turn black-market operators into legal ones. Those states have also worked to make sure consumers can afford the drug. But despite the adulation of many, it remains a mystery why marijuana has not been legalized everywhere. how to get medical marijuana card in ny online

Prohibition of marijuana has several long-term consequences. It is responsible for more than half of all drug arrests in the US. It is the largest drug offenders by far, and black people are more likely to be arrested than whites. Prohibition perpetuates an unfair class system in America. Furthermore, marijuana use reduces the risk of overdoses and complications caused by prescription drugs. The number of opiate deaths would decrease by 33 percent.

In New Jersey, cannabis is still illegal, but it is legal to use CBD, which is the main component of the plant. It is not illegal to consume it, but you should avoid doing so in public. New Jersey is also super criminalized, with the strictest marijuana laws in the country. The strict marijuana laws are due in part to the state’s high number of private prisons. So why isn’t marijuana legalized?

Legalization is one way to end the war on marijuana. In 2016, a bipartisan group of senators announced their intention to legalize marijuana. The bill, known as the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act, would deschedule marijuana and create a sales tax on its products. However, this bill is unlikely to pass due to Republican opposition. This legislation has only three Republicans in its backers.

Because marijuana is still classified as a Schedule I drug, federal laws on marijuana haven’t changed much since the 1970s. The infamous Cole Memo, issued by the Nixon Administration, set out guidelines for marijuana-related federal prosecutions. The memo also outlined guidelines for state-regulated cannabis programs. These regulations also included prohibiting sales across state lines and to minors. As a result, the legal marijuana industry has grown to a billion dollar industry.

While cannabis use is illegal in some states, many states have moved forward on legislation that would make it legal. For example, the state of South Dakota legalized marijuana in 2021, but in the same year, the Illinois General Assembly voted to repeal the state’s adult-use law. While legalizing cannabis is not yet a popular solution in the US, it is one of the hottest political issues right now.

In Colorado, the recreational use of marijuana is expected to pass the ballot initiative in 2020. Since then, state officials have been scrambling to draft regulations and form the Cannabis Commission. In early 2022, dispensaries are expected to open. Nevertheless, it’s unclear whether or not marijuana will be legalized federally. However, many voters support legalization, which may explain why federal legalization hasn’t been passed.