Aside from the tumultuous presidential race, recreational marijuana was a notable issue on the ballots of certain states in this recent election. The results are in and the United States officially has eight states and one district where marijuana is legal for recreational purposes.
Growing number of states
Recreational marijuana is now legal in California, Massachusetts and Nevada. Maine also voted yes on the measure, however, the decision is currently being contested by the “No” side. Unless something changes, recreational weed will be legal in Maine starting on January 7, 2017. Arizona was the only state to turn down a recreational marijuana measure, with just over half of voters saying no.
California, Massachusetts, Nevada and (probably) Maine now join Alaska, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Oregon and Washington state, which legalized recreational marijuana between two and four years ago. All of these states put a sales tax on the sale of the legal weed. The states use the money towards enforcing marijuana laws, along with other measures such as research and education (this varies by state).
Economic gains
The choice to legalize has brought Alaska, Colorado, DC., Oregon and Washington state some significant economic gains in recent years. CNN reports:
“For the states where recreational use is legal, it seems to have been a boost to the economy. The marijuana industry created more than 18,000 full-time jobs last year and generated $2.39 billion in economic activity in Colorado, according to an analysis from the Marijuana Policy Group.”
It is very likely that California, Massachusetts, Nevada and Maine will soon start seeing these types of gains, as well.
Benefits of legalization
The legalization of marijuana makes sense for many reasons, not just economic. For one, keeping marijuana illegal simply puts money in the hands of cartels and street gangs. This often leads to violence and a contaminated, “laced” product, as there is no quality control.
Secondly, more and more research is finding marijuana to be a beneficial substance. You can’t overdose on it. While the process of smoking does lead to ill health effects, it can be taken in other ways, such as in food, in the form of cannabis oil or capsules.
Third, it seems highly ridiculous that marijuana, which has never been directly linked to any deaths, is illegal in any U.S. state, while alcohol, tobacco and prescription opioids are legal. These substances have been linked to hundreds of thousands of deaths. Opioid abuse is now a national epidemic.
The fact that marijuana remains a Schedule 1 drug (up there with heroin) while alcohol and tobacco are freely sold on store shelves is downright hypocritical. This state of affairs is obviously politically and financially motivated — not at all based on health.
Marijuana as medicine
Aside from recreational use, much has been learned in recent years about the benefits of marijuana as a medicine. More than half of all states in the U.S. now have some type of medical marijuana program. This past election, Arkansas, North Dakota and Florida joined that list. This is fortunate, as safe access to medicinal marijuana spells hope for many patients of all ages who suffer from chronic conditions.
It’s encouraging to see the tides turning. More and more people are in favor of embracing marijuana for the beneficial natural substance that it is. Hopefully, the day when marijuana use is legal nationwide is not too far off.
— Tanya Mead
Pot should have been Legalized back in the 70’s.
Think of all the Money that would have been saved fighting this Useless War on Drugs.
I woul enjoy this site much more without all the spammy advertising!
I have severe, intractable Epilepsy. Marijuana could completely cure me.
It sure would be nice to drive, and work again.
I hate myself, and am extremely depressed for being a huge “burden” on others, completely dependent on them to survive.
Epilepsy is holding me hostage in my own home, alone, every day of my life.
Legalizing marijuana could save me!
But. Who cares?
Not to mention the sister plant INDUSTRIAL HEMP and all the benefits it brings. In my mind it is potentially a much bigger gain than the THC containing strains. You can extract CDB from it for medicinal use – and add to that the hemp oil, hemp hearts that are much in demand ($1Billion + imported from Canada last year!) US farmers should be having that benefit. Also, paper, building materials, natural fibers – boy would a lot of ranchers like to see hemp baling twine back instead of the dreaded poly stuff that litters the place and just enters the waste stream – thousands of uses. No wonder the oil, timber, cotton interests wanted it outlawed!
Alcohol use to be illegal before governments realised they could tax it and make money. Shame everything is always about money and greed. So I say NO to recreational use. As far as marijuana helping medically there are other Essential Oils that would support the diseases. Research, research. Yes the Hemp clothes etc are terrific
I am so terribly sorry to hear your problem. It is simply evil that the US Congress has patented strains of cannabis and look to profiteer from their own power while people suffer. It’s flatly evil.
My daughter and friends can’t get decent jobs for this stuff. It angers me that people are obsessed with it. I hate it.
Yes. Research. (PLEASE!) Bc you truly DON’T UNDERSTAND!!
When I went got my EEG, I had 27 seizures in 3 days. Have you ever had a seizure? “Support” isn’t a CURE. In order to drive again, a person with Epilepsy has to be completely CURED, for the safety of others on the road.
I don’t even need (or want) THC.
Just the Hemp oil. But even THATS ILLEGAL.
But what about people in horrific pain, dying from cancer, or how one drop of marijuana oil can stop, within mere minutes, the tortuous, unrelenting dyskinesia in those endlessly SUFFERING from Parkinson disease? Google it my friend. Research!
I care. I have chronic fatigue syndrome. There is so much Injustice in this world’s system. Even the Bible states that Satan is the god of this world, 1 John 5:19.
I have S4 cancer and my appetite has completely tanked at times. I NEED to get “the munchies” to keep from losing more weight. (Lost 65 lb in 24 mos.) Thank God, FL has approved medicinal use, but it is such that the butthead legislators in Tallahassee will make it nearly impossible to get easily. And what about BS laws? My friend got 6 mos in Polk Co jail for possession of 5 grams-just so that county could make $20k from the state DOC funds.
The issue with marijuana is that it is a drug, as it affects the GABA receptors of the brain (lowering pain receptors and anxiety for short periods of time) but it causes all kinds of endocrine damage, lowered cognitive function, impairs the libido, and causes man boobs, and lowers testosterone,raises insulin causing weight gain around the belly – etc… (especially if smoked). It simply MASKS pain and symptoms, and you need to use it repeatedly to maintain it’s effects. Marijuana “oil” would be more preferable to use – as it crosses the brain blood barrier, and doesn’t have the second hand smoke side effects, and no odor.
Secondly 95% of all users are simply using it to get “high” – so really we are creating a generation of “slackers” – low motivated generation that is lazy and not ambitious. Agreed that when its used for pain and other specific diseases people do see benefits, however it still is a drug. Lastly – the stuff smells like absolute shit – it’s toxic stench should deter anyone from smoking it. Use edibles or oil instead. The rest of the healthy population shouldn’t suffer having to breathe this crap in. Take a moment and read the newest research, not the shit the marijuana industry wants you to fall for, “smoke a dube and and all will be good”. It won’t.
My best friend died of a heroin overdose. For the federal government to include marijuana in the same category is extremely disingenuous to the young mind. It misleads people into believing that they can switch between these substances with impunity. I have never experimented with opioids, but I have heard the withdrawal is flu-like, and I have witnessed the devastating mental effects first hand. Please end this hypocrisy, which is historically a product of protectionism in the paper industry!
Its easy enough to get, go buy some. Since the drug war began in 1970 it has been easier to find every year. In fact its never been easier than now. You can also grow your own in your house while in ‘hostage’ mode
It should have never been made illegal in the late 30’s. It was legal from the time Columbus landed at Plymouth rock until around 1937. Thats when big oil, big tobacco, big pharma, big paper and a few others all lobbied together to squash this threat to their revenues
Socialism is the cause of slackers, not marijuana. I know plenty of people that smoke that have held long term jobs and are excellent workers. Also this legalization hasnt created that many smokers, 95% of them were already smokers they just had to hide it better when it was illegal. People on the government handout tend to be the slackers. ‘Kids’ over 18 still living with mommy and daddy. After all why would they want to work if we keep giving them free stuff? And lastly, where the heck are you hanging out where you are being forced to breath this stuff in? You should be so lucky for the chance at a free contact high. With time you learn to appreciate marijuana’s pungent aroma,kind of like the beautiful stink of a well aged cheese, because you know it takes way better than it smells.
If you have cancer you ABSOLUTELY need to quit eating ALL things with sugar or sugar added. Especially avoid any foods with the worst sugar of them all – High Fructose Corn Syrup. Quit eating all breads, pastas, muffins, doughnuts, or anything made of corn or wheat. Quit eating anything out of a box or can. AVOID anything with vegetable oil in it. Learn to eat only organic vegetables,grass fed beef, and free range chicken and eggs. If you take these drastic steps your cancer will die off. But you CANT CHEAT – NO MORE SUGAR. Sugar FEEDS cancer cells. People complain that it costs too much to eat right. I have news for everyone, its far less costly than cancer treatment. I do it, I buy frozen vegetables when I cant get fresh. I make my own salad dressings with olive oil and apple cider vinegar. I wait for the grass fed beef to end up in the reduced for quick sale bin on its ‘sell by’. It seems extreme. but its all for your own health. If you dont change the way you eat and stop shoveling toxins in your body the cancer will take you. The cancer industry is only interested in bilking your insurance company for tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars, they have no motives to actually save you. Google ‘The Truth About Cancer’ for more in depth explanations to what I have said.
You are just plain IGNORANT…I’ve been smoking weed for 40 years….I have excelled in my academic, career and personal life, never had any significant health issues, and never failed to show up for class (actually got an award for perfect attendance from elementary through high school!), never failed to show up for work, got promoted regularly, work in upper management position for the 10th largest company in the world, have 2 children who are just as successful (who also smoke weed)….and are just as healthy…..you can not tell me that this “drug” is as damaging as Alcohol, Cigarettes and prescription DRUGS!! Too many people close to me have died from those legal substances while our own government is denying the public of a substance that is Natural (created by GOD), which can cure many debilitating conditions that are causing people to suffer. People like YOU are the problem….not this so called “drug”. Marijuana needs to be legalized NOW. Open your eyes.