Marijuana continues to gain favor across the country
Ten states have already legalized recreational marijuana and another 33 have agreed that medical marijuana is acceptable. This is only the beginning, though, as now, more than half of the states in the U.S. are working on some type of new or expanded cannabis reform.
In Arizona, a House bill is in the works that would allow medical patients to possess any form of medical marijuana. In Florida, recreational marijuana is coming and the state is most likely going to amend its constitution to ensure that marijuana rights will never be taken away. Hawaii’s Senate just approved a bill that legalizes marijuana for any resident 21 years old or older.
Illinois hopes to legalize recreational marijuana and is also seeking approval for cultivation and sales. IT would also become one of the few states to authorize social consumption areas. Kentucky recently saw substantial support for a medical marijuana bill when its House Judiciary Committee voted 16-1 to legalize the activity. Maryland is discussing two marijuana bills, but the state will most likely not see legalization until next year.
Nebraska expects to see medical marijuana on the ballot next year and could open the medical marijuana market in the state. New Jersey lawmakers have almost reached an agreement to legalize cannabis and the Garden State could become greener by the end of this spring. New York is currently compiling data that could lead to recreational marijuana use in the state and North Carolina is trying to pave the way for recreational use, but previous attempts have consistently met resistance.
A number of other states are getting on board, as well, and it’s possible that marijuana could have a significant foothold in the country by the end of next year. The federal government has already started taking the subject more seriously and is preparing to discuss a number of different bills that could pave the way for approval at the highest level.