30 years ago, cannabis possession and consumption was a felony in all 50 states. If you were caught, the arrest could ruin your life. It did that to many people, especially in minority communities. In 1988, only 24% of Americans supported recreational cannabis use. At the end of 2018, more than 60% of all Americans supported cannabis legalization. What does this mean? Is mainstream cannabis use a non-sequitur in today’s society?
Cannabis Facts
There are many facts about cannabis to support legalization. There are numerous health benefits. Cannabis can help people fight depression and anxiety. Cannabis is now widely used for medical purposes. It has proven to be beneficial in treating glaucoma and cancer, especially for the side effects of chemo. There is a lot of untapped potential in medical cannabis use. We’re still discovering how it might be beneficial for society as a whole.
Are the health benefits of cannabis enough to change people’s minds? Further and deeper investigation conducted by Marist emphasizes that 83% of surveyed people in the US support the medical use of cannabis. What is more, 57% are in favor of the recreational use of cannabis. Nearly 55 million adults (22%) in the US have admitted to consuming cannabis.
Mainstream Cannabis Use is Happening
While there are now some proven medical benefits and we have yet to discover them all. Celebrities talk about their cannabis use, with stars like Rihanna and Lady Gaga talking about their cannabis use. Lady Gaga says it helps her fight anxiety and stress due to her career. Ex-heavyweight boxing legend, Mike Tyson, is a licensed cannabis grower and has his own company called Tyson Ranch. Celebrity commentator Joe Rogan has often exclaimed the benefits of cannabis on his podcast. He frequently offers it to his guests during interviews. The racist origins of the laws making cannabis illegal are becoming widely known. This is just the start.
Where Might Cannabis Go From Here?
There are 11 states (and rising) in the US with adult use cannabis and 33 states allowing it for medical use. People are changing their opinion about cannabis. The stigma is disappearing compared to just a few years ago. People have finally started to rationally see the positive side of cannabis consumption and are open to mainstream cannabis use.
Take a look at the infographic Loud Cloud Health has created. There’s a lot of terrific information in there.
