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Marijuana legalization information

Want to find out more about marijuana legalization across the world? Check out our informative articles below:

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Frequently asked questions

Take a look through our frequently asked questions section below to find out more about marijuana legalization, news, and information.

Marijuana legalization refers to the process of removing legal prohibitions on the possession, use, cultivation, and distribution of marijuana for either medical or recreational purposes.

Federal marijuana legalization refers to the removal of cannabis from the federal list of Controlled Substances. It would also mean that state governments can control and regulate marijuana sales, production, distribution, and possession as they see fit. Marijuana is still illegal on a federal level across the US.

The laws regarding the legalization of weed differ depending on the country or state you’re in. Generally, marijuana legalization can be split into cannabis legalized for medical use and cannabis legalized for recreational use. In some places where marijuana has not been legalized, it’s been decriminalized, which means it is no longer treated as a criminal offense.

You can expect to find a range of information relating to marijuana, including; the latest news on cannabis legalization, articles about strains and cultivars, and information about medical marijuana.You’ll also find helpful resources such as THC calculators and marijuana legalization maps.

Legalization can generate tax revenue, create jobs in the legal cannabis industry, and redirect funds previously used for enforcement towards other initiatives. It can also provide new opportunities for economic growth, such as the development of cannabis-based products and services. Additionally, legalization removes criminal penalties associated with marijuana use, reducing incarceration rates and freeing up law enforcement resources to focus on other activities.

Though there are potential benefits to legalization, it is important to consider the potential risks that may accompany it. These may include a rise in cannabis-impaired driving, and the potential for overconsumption of edibles due to an unfamiliarity with proper dosing. Additionally, as marijuana legalization spreads across different areas of the world, there is a risk that certain populations could be left behind or disproportionately affected. The risks of marijuana legalization can also change depending on the country or culture in which it is implemented.

While there are several states that have now legalized the recreational use of weed, federal marijuana legalization has not yet come about. So, depending on the state you are in, weed may either be legal, illegal, or decriminalized.

As of August 2023, there are 23 states that have legalized marijuana for recreational use. These are:

  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • Illinois
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nevada
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • Oregon
  • Rhode Island
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington

As of August 2023, there are 15 states that have legalized marijuana for medical use. These are:

  • Alabama
  • Arkansas
  • Florida
  • Hawaii
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Mississippi
  • New Hampshire
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Dakota
  • Utah
  • West Virginia

A medical marijuana card is a document issued that authorizes the use of medicinal cannabis with permission from a licensed physician. To obtain a medical marijuana card, you must meet certain criteria and be diagnosed with an approved condition. The doctor can then write you a recommendation or “prescription” for medical cannabis which is then registered in your name. A medical marijuana card gives the holder the ability to purchase medical-grade cannabis products.

Marijuana is legal for both recreational and medical use in Canada. However, it is still subject to certain provincial restrictions which can change depending on the location. For example, whether or not it can be grown at home for personal use, and who is able to sell it. Check the local laws in your area to find out more.

Marijuana is legal for medical use in Australia. However, recreational marijuana is still illegal although laws vary from state to state. In some states, such as the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), it is decriminalized so that only minor penalties apply for possession, however, it is still illegal to sell or share weed, as well as smoking it in public in the ACT.

As of August 2023, marijuana is not legal in any areas of New Zealand. In October 2020, a referendum asking New Zealand voters if the sale, use, possession, and production of recreational cannabis should be legalized was held. It was rejected with 50.7% of voters opposing legalization.

The laws regarding marijuana vary from country to country within the European Union. For example, medical cannabis is legal in many EU countries as long as it’s prescribed by a doctor and purchased from a reputable pharmacy. However, recreational marijuana remains illegal across most of the EU. However, as of August 2023, a few European countries have legalized recreational marijuana use, including Luxembourg and Malta.

You’ve likely heard the term “THC” used in conjunction with marijuana. THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol, and is the main psychoactive compound in marijuana, responsible for the “high” feeling. It may also have therapeutic effects and is commonly used for recreational purposes.

CBD is short for cannabidiol, and it’s another prominent cannabinoid in marijuana. Unlike THC, it does not produce a psychoactive high and is associated with potential therapeutic benefits, such as reducing anxiety and pain.

CBG stands for cannabigerol, which is another cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. CBG may help to alleviate THC that can be caused by high amounts of THC. Therapeutic benefits of CBG could include pain and nausea relief.

Cannabinoids are chemical compounds found in marijuana that interact with the body’s cannabinoid receptors. They can have various effects, depending on the type, including pain relief, relaxation, and altered perception.

If you’re passionate about marijuana legalization, you can get involved by joining advocacy groups, supporting initiatives, contacting lawmakers, and participating in public discussions.