Recreational Cannabis in the USA

Recreational Cannabis in the USA has expanded to ten states. From the 6^th of November 2018 onwards, Michigan has legalized the recreational use of cannabis. This new law will allow people over 21 years old to possess, grow and smoke small amounts of weed legally.

Here at Growbarato.net we absolutely love news like this, especially after Canada legalized cannabis across the board last 17^th of October.

According to The Washington post, consumers in Michigan will now be able to grow 12 cannabis plants at home. They can also carry up to 70g of cannabis, and store a maximum of 280g in their home.

Michigan is now the first northeastern state in the US to legalize recreational cannabis. A 10% tax has been imposed upon cannabis sales in the state, in order to finance local authorities and invest in education and public transport.

According to Josh Hovey, spokesman for the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol, “The campaign boiled down into one of fact versus fear.” He then went on to state that “The data from the nine other states to have legalized marijuana have made clear that regulation and taxation are a better solution.”

Legalized States

In the US, recreational cannabis use is legal in Alaska, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts and California. Almost 80 million Americans collectively live in states where recreational cannabis is legal, which is equal to a full 25% of the country’s population.

According to Wired magazine, Morgan Fox, communicative director for National Cannabis Industry Association, two thirds of the country wants to legalize cannabis but the politicians simply aren’t listening.

Medicinal States

Utah and Missouri legalized medicinal cannabis these midterms, becoming states number 31 and 32 to medicinally legalize the plant. Other states include Florida, Arizona, New Mexico, New York, Hawaii, Montana, Minnesota and Pennsylvania.

Missouri has imposed a 4% tax on their medicinal cannabis in order to finance medical help for veterans. In Utah, it has been legalized with the purpose of treating illnesses as HIV, multiple sclerosis, PTSD, epilepsy, autism, cancer and Alzheimer’s.

Cannabis is one the most consumed illegal substance in the US – over half of all states have legalized cannabis in some form of another, which is a clear indication of how beloved this plant is and how culturally important it is. Two out of three American citizens are in favor of full legalization. States such as Colorado have benefitted greatly from legalization thanks to taxes. Even then, the actual Federal Law still views cannabis as illegal, although the President has mentioned the possibility of reducing these laws.

At Growbarato.net we’re waiting patiently for cannabis legalization to reach Spain, celebrating every time it’s legalized somewhere else.