This year has been full of strides pushing towards legalization in different states across the nation. Though the years to come have propelled these laws and bills, it’s incredible to watch different states become legal and even see some of them decriminalize cannabis.
So what’s been new since 2021? Well just since the beginning of this year five states have passed bills that legalize cannabis. Though each state's rules and regulations may look a little different across borders, these steps are steps that could ultimately possibly support federal legalization. State-to-state regulations and law typically look a little different amongst position limits, growing regulations, selling/ buying limits, and licensing.
Here’s what you missed on cannabis legalization just since 2021:
Image Source from Getty Images
On March 30, 2021 New York legalizes recreational cannabis.
New York passed a bill that allows citizens to carry up to three ounces of cannabis and 24 grams of cannabis concentrate. The bill specifies where cannabis will be legal to smoke, how much can be carried on hand, and how much can be carried at home. Although it still won’t be legal to buy or sell cannabis in New York for another year or so, the state does plan on expanding their legal sales by eventually allowing dispensaries to pop up across the state.
On April 21, 2021 Virginia legalizes recreational cannabis through the state legislature.
Earlier this year Virginia paved the way to legalization in the south by legalizing cannabis by July 1, 2021 per a bill that was approved through local legislation in April. Although the bill doesn’t allow for legal sales until a few more years down the road in 2024, it does allow for adults over the age of 21 to possess up to an ounce of cannabis on them. Virginia and dc weed delivery companies will gift up to an ounce based on these laws. Finally, the move allows for adults to legally grow up to four plants at home.
Image Source from Getty Images
On April 12, 2021 New Mexico legalizes recreational cannabis through the state legislature.
In New Mexico, the new legislation allows for adults to possess up to two ounces of cannabis, 16 grams of concentrate, and 800mg of edibles. It also allows for growers to cultivate up to six plants at home. The bill also lays out plans to legalize cannabis sales within the next year, with plans to start issuing licenses within the next year.
Image Source from Getty Images
On May 17 2021, Alabama legalized medical cannabis through the state legislature.
In Alabama, the regulations are a little different then other states because Alabama legalized medically. Now doctors can legally prescribe cannabis to treat anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and intractable pain. In order for doctors to be able to legally prescribe this there is a $500 course they must take to get certified. Additionally, the law disregards conventional ways of ingestion like smoking and instead allows for products like lozenges, oils, and topicals as ingestion methods.
Image Source from Getty Images
On June 14, 2021 Louisiana decriminalized cannabis through the state legislature.
Although some forms of cannabis were legalized in Louisiana earlier this year, the state expanded the regulations which now allow the possession of up to a half ounce of cannabis. In addition, in 2022 licensed shops will be able to legally sell flower at their retail stores; while as of right now only edibles, vapes, and tinctures are the main legal forms of cannabis being sold in the state.
Conclusion
One of the main differences that distinguishes differences among states is whether they go legal medically or recreationally. If the state goes legal medically, that typically comes with a number of dispensary licenses which means consumers can legally buy retail cannabis. Some states, like New Mexico, are more concerned about the social, political, and economic impact of legalization. In many of these states where legalization is moving forward, a lot of the population is for decriminalization acts and legalizing cannabis.
This year alone we’ve seen a lot of legal strides pertaining to cannabis, the industry, and the business surrounding it. Although these are good strides in the industry, many are not only looking forward to not only legalization but more steps towards decriminalization in their state. There is certainly a long road but this year has already seen some of these successful steps