The casual recreational use of marijuana has always been a controversial issue. However, research has proven that medical marijuana helps people alleviate the symptoms of serious medical conditions. With the passing of a marijuana legalization bill by the House, marijuana has become a widely accepted drug in California and the rest of the U.S.
History of the legalization of marijuana
Marijuana was first legalized in California in 1996. It was the first U.S. state to decriminalize the medical use of marijuana. In 2012, Washington and Colorado legalized recreational marijuana.
By 2022, 37 states and Washington, D.C., have legalized medical marijuana while 18 states and D.C. have made recreational marijuana legal. A new federal law that was passed in April 2022 will legalize any use of marijuana in every U.S. state.
Sweeping federal law passed
The House passed a recent law to legalize marijuana all over the country. It is now legal for anyone to manufacture, distribute or possess the substance without the risk of criminal punishment. The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act was passed to decriminalize marijuana in all states and allow the expungement of criminal records for marijuana convictions.
In addition, this cannabis law establishes a new 5% tax for the sale of cannabis products, which is expected to increase to 8% over time. It will also fund various social programs and provide small business loans for businesses that help socially and economically disadvantaged people.
Cannabis law at the federal level
The government is shifting more toward criminal justice reform. Consuming, manufacturing, possessing and selling marijuana is no longer illegal in any U.S. state. This decriminalization law has been in the process of being made for the past several decades and is finally passed.