LEGALIZATION! It’s happening! In the week before our national holiday, “4-20” it’s time to take a quick look at legalization across the USofA. It’s happening,,,but with some sad exceptions. A majority of the citizens in our country live in an adult-use legal state. In the last 2 weeks, New Mexico, Virginia and New York have legalized. There are still several more states looking at legalizing. It seems like legislators are beginning to understand that a majority of Americans want to end the racist prohibition of cannabis. They have come to understand that legalization works, brings revenue into government coffers and people aren’t running around naked in the streets.
Sadly, there are still a few outliers. Wisconsin, Mississippi and several other states still have legislatures that don’t represent (or respect!) the people who elected them! Really. Almost all those legislatures are run by “Tea Party” republicans. So they’re a sham. Georgia, famous for other bad things these days along with both Carolina’s, North and South, just seem to be stuck in the 1970s. There is one powerful state senator in North Carolina who professes to support at least medical cannabis, but this will probably go nowhere as it has in the past. Also a few states in the far north who just don’t seem to get it these days.
There’s only one thing left; The Federal Government! For some reason, President Biden won’t just sign a document that would remove marijuana from Schedule 1 and decriminalize it at the same time. That would allow so many things like banking, which pot shops desperately need. Right now weed is a cash business, just like the old days when you bought your weed from your local, friendly dealer. This is not good with so much cash hanging without a place to put it.
Here’s are some articles without any comments that are showing what’s happening in the legalization space these few days before 4-20!
Virginia lawmakers OK recreational marijuana possession, cultivation
Virginia becomes first Southern state to legalize cannabis
New York Legalizes Adult Use Cannabis
For Cannabis Activists, New York’s Legalization A ‘Big Deal’
New York Legalizes Recreational Marijuana, Tying Move to Racial Equity
Two Missouri Communities Decriminalize Cannabis Possession
New Mexico governor signs bill to legalize recreational pot
NC bill to legalize medical marijuana now has key supporter
And finally a few stories that aren’t so good:
Mississippi Supreme Court Hears Challenge To Medical Marijuana Measure Approved By Voters
Legal weed’s first year in Chicago: High arrest rates for Black people, a boutique experience for others
Marijuana Legalization Bills Died In Three States This Week As Others Move Forward
There’s still a lot of bad news out there on the legalization front, but it’s getting better.
HAPPY 420!!!