Lemon Law Lawyer

5 Things You should Know about Marijuana Legalization

By on November 15, 2016

The majority of Americans support marijuana legalization (52% pro and 45% con) according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in 2013. Lately, it has turned out that still, many people are for the legalization of marijuana. One proof of this is that this month, California, Nevada, Maine, and Massachusetts voted to legalize recreational marijuana.

Interestingly enough, Arizona was the only state that rejected it.

Note that back in 2012 Colorado and Washington made it legal for adults 21 and older to use marijuana for recreational purposes. And in 2014 Oregon, Alaska, and Washington D.C also voted for it.

Now, let us see the 5 things you should know about marijuana and its legalization.

People use marijuana for different purposes

Eventually, what is marijuana? It is the seeds, stems, dried and shredded leaves, and flowers of the plant known as Cannabis sativa. People use marijuana as a recreational drug often in the belief that it won’t be addictive. Some even use it for spiritual and religious purposes.

The Federal law prohibits its use

Paradoxically, the U.S. federal government still views marijuana as a dangerous drug and prohibits its distribution and sale. The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) considers cultivation and distribution of marijuana as felonies. Of course, you might find a discrepancy between these federal and state laws. However, it is unlikely that the federal government is going to pursue individuals who live in the aforementioned states and who use recreational marijuana.

More and more people are supporting marijuana legalization

The number of people supporting marijuana legalization across the country is rising rapidly. In other words, opinions are shifting. And this is happening really fast. Maybe one of the reasons is that people are more educated about weed use today than ever before.

A doctor cannot prescribe medical marijuana, they can recommend it

Around 40 U.S. states allow treating at least one disease with medical marijuana. However, as I said above, the use of marijuana is prohibited by the federal law. It means that doctors cannot simply prescribe marijuana. Instead, they can just recommend it as a component of the patient’s treatment plan. Here are the steps that an individual should take in order to get a recommendation for medical marijuana:

  • See if you qualify for your state. In other words, see, whether your state has already legalized recreational marijuana. If your state has not done it yet, then you have no chances to be prescribed any.
  • Visit your doctor. Any licensed health care provider should have the right to recommend the use of medical marijuana.
  • Purchase the recommended substance at the medical marijuana dispensary. In some states, to be able to do this, you will need to show a valid state ID and to prove that you are older than 18.

Overdose is really a big issue

Marijuana overdose is a serious issue to think over. It’s OK if you are sitting at home, but it’s not if you are driving a car. Be careful not to use too much of it because the following things can happen:

  • Short-term memory loss
  • Impaired driving skills
  • Anxiety and paranoia
  • Nausea and vomiting

At the end

With the growing number of states voting for marijuana legalization, it’s vital to understand the background of its use. Maybe it’s worth thinking twice before purchasing medical marijuana. Whatever your decision, remember to take it in the amount recommended by your doctor. An overdose of any medical product might be fatal.

facebooktwittergoogle_plusredditpinterestlinkedinmail
http://consumerlawmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/LemonLaw-970x90.jpg http://consumerlawmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/MLaw-Banner-970x90-A.jpg

About Anna Aria

I am a storyteller with a passion for knowledge and a flair for writing. I strongly believe that knowledge is meant to be shared, for there is a lot we can learn from each other. My hobbies include reading, drinking wine, and traveling.

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply