Federal Legalization of Cannabis in US

Times have come when you’ll be able to grow cannabis in your kitchen garden, and enjoy a cozy dose of it every day! Sounds bizarre right?! But believe me, it’s true. The war on drugs has been an ongoing fight for years. But pot smokers might be heading towards complete freedom.

While federally, the legalization of cannabis is still a question mark. However, advocates believe it might just be a matter of few months before we get to witness the federal legalization of cannabis across US. The window to which is of course the much-awaited 2020 general elections. It could be said that a win for Democrat Joe Biden at the White House, could actually be a win for marijuana; with possibilities of a bill being passed in favor of federal legalization. But in case President Donald Trump goes for the win, it might continue a deadlock over marijuana policies, with little or no progress.

It is also expected that New Jersey is going to take up a ballot initiative in favor of adult use of cannabis on the very day of the election. Such an initiative can result in a domino effect; with other neighboring states taking it forward.

Current Situation?

As many as 11 States and D.C have legalized cannabis for recreational purposes. 33 states have legalized marijuana for medicinal uses. And the rest have some kind of decriminalizing laws for the use of cannabis.

So how exactly are legalization and decriminalization different?

Decriminalization is the relaxation of penalties and criminal charges for buying, selling, and consumption of marijuana. It means that possession or consumption is still illegal but the guilty would not be subject to prosecution for possessions within the stipulated amounts.

On the other hand, Legalization is the complete removal of any kind of penalties for either possession, selling, or consumption; much like the legalization of tobacco or alcohol.

Federally, Cannabis is classified as a Schedule 1 drug, under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. And thus, it remains illegal under the federal laws.

So what is the case for the Legalization of Cannabis in US?

When prohibition of a substance does more harm than good, it is most likely to trigger a war for freedom. With over 33 million Americans identified as current cannabis users, according to the government data; it is reflective of the failure of prohibition measures, as well as the failure in reducing the actual consumption.

The case for racial discrimination is another boiling point in the demand for legalization. According to ACLU, Black Americans are 3.7 times more likely to be arrested than Whites, for marijuana possession.

Furthermore, the removal of prohibitions would allow the government to generate billions of dollars of revenue by taxation and regulations.

Whether Cannabis would be federally legalized or not, will unfold in the upcoming elections. But pot smokers and businesses will surely hope to hear something in favor of the green plant. And if that happens, it would be historic.