Some people need to smoke marijuana for medical reasons, and some people like to get high; both are okay. In recent years a handful of states have passed a law to make adult-use cannabis legal. Most recently, Governor Cuomo has signed on the legalization of marijuana in New York. The legality of marijuana in New York will also relieve some stress for those who have a criminal record because of cannabis. Records will be expunged. In a perfect world, marijuana use should be legal federally now that more states are legalizing adult-use cannabis; New York is another checked box.
First, let's talk about the benefits of marijuana. It does indeed have psychoactive effects; if the consumer is okay with that, they will be getting a lot of it. Medical News Today mentions marijuana can help with chronic pain, depression, and other mental health diagnoses. Guess what? Marijuana, which has been clarified as a schedule I drug, has been shown to help with hard drug addiction problems (Railton). Aside from the medical advances that marijuana can make, it can be a lovely relaxer after that long day at work.
Now, New York, as mentioned before, has made a massive move in regards to the state in the advancement of legalization in marijuana laws. "The law…creates a system to expunge past criminal conviction records for low-level marijuana violations, and directs 40% of the tax revenues from marijuana sales go toward helping minority communities that have been disproportionately hurt by drug prosecutions" (Center). Not only is New York creating a safe space for their people to enjoy the benefits of marijuana, but they are also creating a fair fight for people who have gotten records from their past use or possession of marijuana. Not all states have this luxury.
This is where the problem lies in legalizing marijuana state by state. There is no clear directive in the law that goes into it. Some states automatically clear records, like New York, some states you have to request to clear your records, and states like Colorado will seal but not clear your record. Although it is up to the state's discretion to create these laws, it created unfairness and confusion throughout.
Riddle this, if marijuana became federally legal, these significant issues and confusion in laws from state to state will be diminished. People will not have to face federal court in a state where it is legal. More and more states are coming on to the legalization train; there are more states than not in which it is legal. How does it make sense that it is still level I in one state, and in others, it's legal?
The big question is, what is holding the federal government back? Who knows. They would benefit from the taxes that would flow in from marijuana, and people are smoking it anyway, so it just does not make sense. This would be good for weed smokers, but investors would also benefit from it due to the setback that has come into play because it is not legal federally.
To finish, think about this, alcohol is legal, and it has no health benefits; in fact, it has many negative and harmless aspects on your body. It would be beneficial to have marijuana legalized because it enhances social events while benefiting your body, not just the negatives. If marijuana is illegal, then alcohol should be federally. That is a big thing to say but think about it…
Works Cited
Railton, David. “Marijuana: Good or Bad?” Medical News Today, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320984.
Cazentre, Don. “Cuomo Signs New York Marijuana Bill: It's Now Legal for Adults to Possess It.” Newyorkupstate, 6 Apr. 2021, www.newyorkupstate.com/news/2021/03/cuomo-signs-legal-marijuana-bill-its-now-legal-for-adults-to-possess-it.html.
After weed becomes legal in New York, I even watched a youtube about it. People get crazy about it. Turns out they realized just making it legal actually makes people more passive and happy so they don't care as much about real change. Could just be the paranoia from all the weed.