Overview of States That Have Legalized Weed

Since the turn of the century, the conversation surrounding marijuana and its medicinal attributes have come to light. With more people advocating for the health benefits of cannabis, more and more US states have moved towards decriminalizing or completely legalizing the usage of weed. This article will detail the states that have taken bold steps to change the status quo and the potential it brings for novel medicines.

The Path of Legalization

The shift towards legalization occurred gradually. Starting with California, which legalized medical marijuana in 1996, various states have continued to tread on the line of progressive marijuana reforms. Today, an ever-increasing number of states have legalized weed either for recreational or medicinal use or both.

Legalization for Recreational and Medicinal Use

As of the time of writing, 15 states along with Washington DC have passed laws legalizing the recreational use of marijuana and 36 states have approved it for medicinal use. States like Alaska, California, Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington have embraced the move to legality with open arms. These states have provided frameworks that allow the purchase, possession, and consumption of marijuana for adults over 21 years of age.

Medicinal Weed and Novel Medicines

The legalization of medicinal weed has paved the way for exciting research into its potential therapeutic properties. States like Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, New Jersey, and New Mexico have comprehensive medical marijuana programs that approve its usage for a wide spectrum of medical conditions.

The exact application of medicinal marijuana is derived from two of its active ingredients: cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Due to the novel medicines stemming from these components, their myriad medicinal values, such as managing epilepsy, PTSD, chronic pain, and MS, have increasingly been recognized.

The Novel Medicines and Continued Research

On the cusp of this novel medicines development, numerous research studies scramble to uncover further potential in the medicinal properties of marijuana. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved medicines such as Epidiolex, Marinol, Syndros, and Cesamet based on components of marijuana.

Additionally, the FDA, recognizing the public interest in marijuana-derived and hemp-derived compounds, continues to work on new regulatory frameworks to pave the way for future medications.

The Economic Upside of Legalizing Weed

Beyond the medical sphere, the legalization of weed has also led to an economic boom in these states. The new licit marijuana industry has generated hundreds of millions in tax revenue, funding for schools, and jobs for thousands of people.

Final Words

As we step further into a future where the medicinal benefits of weed are more widely accepted, we can expect to see more states and countries moving towards legalization. It is an exciting time, both in the context of exploring the potential of novel medicines as well as the broader socio-economic implications.