For a long time, marijuana and the United States federal government have not been a good mix. States have been slowly decriminalizing and legalizing marijuana for years, but there has been little movement at the federal level, that is, until recently. The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a bill that we wanted to talk about.
Decriminalization on the Move
A bill that would decriminalize marijuana use federally was brought before the House floor on Friday, April 1st, 2022, and no, despite what we had initially thought as well, this was no April Fool’s joke, this is legitimate legislation. Federally decriminalizing weed is huge and is an important step in improving the way dispensaries and prescribers are able to work.
Onto the Senate
The House of Representatives has already voted yes on this bill, but that doesn’t mean it’s law yet. It will first need to be sent to the senate, where it will be put up for another vote. Assuming the senate approves the bill, it will then need to be signed by the president, who has the option to veto the bill, which would then send it back to the senate where it would need a two-thirds majority approval. The entire process is complicated and long, so while this bill is a good sign, we likely will still have to wait a while before new marijuana legislation actually starts to take effect.
Marijuana is Very Popular Among Americans
There’s no guarantee this bill becomes law, but we think there’s a decent chance. Pollsters have been asking Americans what they think about marijuana for years, and consistently approval of the drug’s use has been rising. Some polls have 90% plus of U.S. adults thinking weed should be legalized. The drug certainly still has its enemies, but it will be difficult for both the senate and president to reject a bill that the vast majority of Americans approve of.
Interested In Learning More About Marijuana?
At CannaLeaf Health, we’ve helped lots of Marylanders with their marijuana needs. If you’re interested in getting a medical marijuana card, or want to learn more about the health benefits of its usage, get into contact with us. We’d be more than happy to answer any questions you may have!
