Total Cannabis Legalization- Will We Get There?
Covid-19 helped society see that Cannabis is medicine, that Cannabis is an essential business, and that we should end federal Cannabis prohibition. Regarding Cannabis legalization, we are closer than we were 10 years ago, especially with states across the country legalizing and decriminalizing Cannabis. We are seeing more support for Cannabis, but the truth is – the federal government still sees Cannabis as the devil’s lettuce, and the plant remains on schedule 1.
We are seeing some support for legalization and decriminalization of Cannabis in politics, but still not fully supported. In April 2020, Cory Booker said:
“We need to end this federal prohibition. It’s something I’m going to fight for. This hypocrisy—these drug laws that we have that are archaic and cruel—they must end.”
Many of us agree; it’s beyond time for Cannabis to be freed from prejudice and war. As a country, we are making strides but the infamous big brother government, in collaboration with big pharma, is still hiding the key to total freedom.
The Covid-19 Pandemic Recognized Cannabis as Essential
It’s no secret, and there is no slow down; Cannabis sales have spiked during the Covid pandemic. There have been no proven reports/studies about Cannabis treating/healing Covid-19 but, there are some happening now with supporting results. Many people consume Cannabis because of the reported anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory properties that Cannabis carries.
The government won’t tell us that Cannabis may help with Covid-19 symptoms but, here’s what CNBC reports:
Weekly sales in March topped $134 million in California, Washington, Nevada and Colorado, a 17% increase from the weekly average in 2019.
Cannabis CEO’s say federal legalization of Cannabis would provide economic stimulus through tax revenue and job creation during the Coronavirus recovery.
In the second half of March, the average purchase also increased by 47%.
Whether consumed for its anti-viral/anti-bacterial benefits, and/or for its calming and stress relief benefits, Cannabis has helped the masses during this pandemic.
H.R. 1227 and The Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition
In 2017, the house introduced The Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2017, HR 1227. This is bipartisan legislation which eliminates federal criminal penalties for possessing and growing Cannabis. Researchers at the University of Colorado and The Santa Fe Institute, forecasted federal legalization of Cannabis based on data from states that have already legalized Cannabis.
It looks like, based on this data, federal Cannabis legalization could happen by 2022. But because of Covid-19, this may not be the case: “what was supposed to be a banner year for marijuana legalization is becoming a bust”, as stated by Politico. “Social distancing has put ballot drives on pause and state lawmakers are overwhelmed with addressing the crisis at hand.”
States are Asking for Cannabis Legalization
The United States government called a plant- public enemy number 1. They didn’t refer to rapists, serial killers, or opioids. They have had it out for Cannabis since the start. They created lies that many believe, and those people did everything they could to support the government in their efforts to lock us all up and throw away the key.
We are seeing a shift though. Here are some examples:
Pennsylvania’s top two elected officials held a joint news conference advising Pennsylvanians that they now support recreational adult use of Cannabis.
Lawmakers press Trump officials to change federal marijuana rules.
New York health officials recommend marijuana legalization in report to governor.
City officials in Las Cruces have voted to support a bill legalizing recreational marijuana throughout New Mexico.
Forbes reports that these United States Senators support federal Cannabis legalization:
Senator Cory Booker
Cory Gardener
Elizabeth Warren
Jeff Merkley
Rand Paul
Bernie Sanders
Kirsten Gillibrand
Chuck Schumer
Patrick Leahy
Steve Daines
Final Thoughts
We are seeing more support of Cannabis within communities, in state governments, and seeing lawmakers speaking out in support of federal Cannabis legalization- total legalization. A government in support of their people and their well-being would never place a plant, an herb- on the same schedule as Heroin.
During the pandemic, weekly sales topped $134 million in California, Washington, Nevada and Colorado in one month. There was a 17% increase from the weekly average in 2019. In the second half of March, the average purchase also increased by 47%. The people have spoken.
It’s time to legalize Cannabis and we could get closer. According to statements from leading Democrats, the House will vote on the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement Act around September 21, 2020. This is the biggest step toward federal Cannabis legalization taken by Congress.
Veronica Castillo is a Writer from Miami, with a pre-Cannabis background in insurance and human resources. Currently, she is a resident of the road on an exploration of all thing’s cannabis and hemp in the United States, with plans to leave the U.S to explore Cannabis and hemp abroad. Veronica’s mission is to educate, inform, and destigmatize because she believes in the power of love for all plant medicine. You can follow her journey on/at: veetravelingvegcannawriter and/or Instagram.