Cannabis remains classified as a Schedule I drug in the US with no medicinal use and high potential for abuse, making recreational cultivation, possession or sale illegal. States are free to regulate cannabis according to state law; federal authorities do not have authority over state regulation laws that conflict with their jurisdictions; many have adopted their own legal frameworks for its derivatives in response.
These laws, commonly referred to as “marijuana reform” or “cannabis reform,” have been created with two competing goals in mind: protecting young people from cannabis’ negative effects; mitigating adverse health and order implications of adults using cannabis; and increasing revenue and jobs associated with the industry. The laws seek to achieve these ends by restricting cultivation, distribution, sale and taxation related to marijuana production/purchasing/possession in public places whereas still permitting adults cultivate and possess small quantities for personal use.
States that have legalized cannabis sales typically impose price-based excise taxes on all products sold, including both recreational and medicinal items. These excise taxes have proven especially successful in mature cannabis markets where efficiencies have been realized through prices dropping as markets expanded; additionally, their use helps limit how much product ends up diverted illegally.
State laws with legalized marijuana allow individuals to possess up to 2.5 ounces per person or vehicle at one time, though some states set higher limits. Individuals can grow six plants in their home or on one acre of land legally – any more than that is considered illegal possession and posessess is punishable as a felony.
Nearly all states with legalized cannabis have instituted restrictions against driving under the influence of this plant, while some go further by passing more stringent legislation and mandating blood tests before people are licensed as drivers or receive renewal licenses. Many have also increased education and awareness efforts on both risks associated with cannabis usage as well as traffic safety.
Reps. Dave Joyce (OH-14), Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05), Brian Mast (FL-21), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) and Troy Carter (LA-02) led by bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced an updated version of the STATES Act in order to combat trends seen thus far. This bill would ensure each state can determine how to approach cannabis within their borders while aligning federal law with these policies; further, financial institutions that serve legal cannabis businesses as well as providing bank accounts to small minority-owned cannabis businesses would also benefit.