Medical cannabis has been legal for several years now, but what kind of regulations states have placed on it is still very different across America. Some state governments allow only certified physicians to recommend medical marijuana, while others do not require any formal degree or certification before offering treatment.
Some state laws only authorize certain forms of medicine, such as pills or oils, whereas other countries have allowed more versatile products like dried flower or salves.
Finally, some states forbid all types of medical marijuana except for inhalation, which excludes the most effective ways to use it. This article will go into greater detail about each one of these topics and how they are regulated in the United States today.
Recreational marijuana
In some states, cannabis has been completely legalized as long as you are over the age of 21 and purchase it from a licensed vendor. These vendors can sell up to one ounce of recreational use marijuana per customer per day.
Many of these state laws require you to show your government-issued identification like a driver’s license or passport before being allowed to buy pot, making sure that you are not underaged.
Since weed is often sold in gram sizes, buying an ounce definitely makes sense if you are a frequent user.
However, because each individual unit is less than two grams total THC (the psychoactive compound in cannabis), there are ways to get more for the same price.
The way to do this is by splitting up your purchases into smaller units. Some sellers will even help you with this!
Medical marijuana
States that have medical cannabis programs make an exception to their no-possession rules when someone needs the medicine for health reasons.
Because they understand how important it is to have a steady supply, most allow patients to maintain up to 2.5 ounces at a time. This amount can be used for personal consumption once a month.
But remember, just because it’s legal doesn’t mean it’s easy to find! Most people struggle to connect with other patients who need the same medication so don’t expect walkouts full of happy customers.
Medical and recreational marijuana
In some states, cannabis has been legalized for use or consumption due to its medical benefits. These state governments have also allowed dispensaries where patients can purchase pot of varying strengths and quantities.
For example, in California you can legally grow your own cannabis at home as long as you are over the age of eighteen and possess a legal license to do so. You must register with the State to be able to buy it however, which is why it’s important to know what laws exist in your area.
The legality of cannabis differs from one state to another, even within individual cities. It is our responsibility as informed citizens to stay up-to-date on the laws that affect us.
Definition of hemp
Hemp is not marijuana! That is one of the most important things to know about cannabis. In fact, some argue that marijuana was changed from containing only 0.3% THC to having higher percentages because people assume it is always illegal to have weed that contains any sort of THC.
The term “marijuana” comes from the Mexican slang word for hemp (the strong, versatile fiber used to make paper). Before 1970, there were no legal restrictions on using or growing hemp. It was grown abundantly throughout history, and many civilizations relied heavily upon it.
Many products we use today contain hemp either as part of the ingredients or whole plant form – shampoo, lotions, clothing, etc. CBD, an active ingredient in cannabis, has become very popular due to its potential health benefits. Because they are both made out of the same compound, you can ingest them directly together without feeling too much difference.
Hemp is sometimes marketed as being more environmentally friendly than other types of crops due to its lower demand on water and land. However, this claim is slightly exaggerated at best. Only 5-10% of the agricultural production process for hemp uses natural resources effectively, but it is often given the credit for the rest.
Resources include burning fossil fuels like gas or coal to power machinery and producing chemical fertilizers which contribute to air pollution. A lot of energy is needed to extract the oil from the hemp plants.
Federal laws and marijuana
As we have discussed, even though some states have legalized cannabis for recreational use or medical use, it is still federally illegal to grow, sell, or use marijuana plants or products. This means that even if you are not making money off of cannabis, you can’t do so because of how the law makes it impossible.
This is why it is important to be aware of what state laws exist about cannabis. Not only does it affect your personal legal status, but also affects whether businesses can operate within their borders as well.
For example, just this week California voted to legalize medicinal cannabis! But until federal authorities give the go-ahead, those who work with weed will need to remain vigilant.
State laws and marijuana
In some states, it is completely legal to use cannabis for medical or recreational purposes. Some require you to be medically certified before being allowed to purchase or consume weed, while others do not allow patients to use certain amounts or strains. Others actually charge people for using cannabis!
State legality of cannabis varies widely nationwide. Some states have very relaxed regulations when it comes to pot, whereas other states impose much more stringent rules.
It’s totally your choice whether to risk breaking state law by consuming illegal substances or not, but we can say one thing with certainty: You will get caught.
Federal prohibition means that even if a state allows cannabis, federal agencies such as the FBI and DEA still classify it as an illicit substance. These agencies actively monitor state cannabis laws and recruit local police departments to arrest individuals for violating them.
Medical experts agree that although there are some studies showing potential benefits from CBD — a non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis — very little evidence exists about the effectiveness of THC (the main psychoactive component) for treating chronic pain.
However, research does show that cannabinoids may help treat acute pain and symptoms related to cancer chemotherapy.
Can I take marijuana out of the country?
While it is legal to possess cannabis in some form in every state, that doesn’t mean you can take it with you when traveling.
Some countries have very strict laws regarding export and importing narcotics, which include cannabis. Some countries will even imprison you if they find enough evidence to prove you had drug trafficking equipment or drugs on you while departing their borders.
In fact, just being convicted of possessing a small amount of marijuana in most countries will get you sentenced to up to five years in prison!
While this may sound drastic, there are ways to avoid having to deal with this situation.
Can I bring marijuana into the country?
One area that varies from state to state is whether you can import or consume cannabis within your home state, as well as any other states where it’s illegal. Some states allow residents to have very small amounts for personal use, while others don’t limit how much you have at all.
Certain countries also require you to be an adult age 21 or older to purchase and possess cannabis, which some people find frustrating because they’re legally able to do so elsewhere.
The thing about international laws is that none of them are universally enforced. For example, there are places like Spain and Uruguay where cannabis is completely legal, but their national police forces aren’t allowed to confiscate foreign-brand products containing CBD — even if they want to!
That means that instead of buying local, organic hemp oil, you may have to resort to more harmful substances that could possibly contain THC, the compound that gets you high. As always, please make sure what you’re doing is safe for you.
Can I grow marijuana?
While it is not legal to use cannabis in every state, you can still decide to grow your own! Before growing weed, you must have proper licensing or at least be allowed to possess pot plants within State laws.
Growing your own marijuana comes with its share of rules and regulations, but most are straightforward. You will need an area to grow the plant (this could be outside or inside), regular water sources, light source(s) for photosynthesis, and soil that is appropriate for the type of plant being grown.
Some states require a license to produce more than 15 grams per month which some people obtain by buying dried flower or pre-rolled joints and then taking pictures and measurements of them to calculate how much product they have produced. It is important to know what products cannot contain THC so as not to violate federal law when re-selling these goods.
States also regulate how many plants one person may have, and whether or not those plants can be mature (grown up) stages. Some only allow very young seedlings while others do not limit maturity.
