Blog Post 1.2 "Marijuana Law Issues"

1. How much of the US population lives in a state or district with access to legal marijuana?

More than a quarter of the US population lives in a state that gives access to legal marijuana.

2. Where in the US were the first places to make marijuana fully legal?

Colorado and Washington were the first states to make marijuana fully legal.

3. In the states where marijuana is legal, what differences might there be state to state?  And how are Vermont and DC different?

Some states may have marijuana fully legalized, while others may only allow medical marijuana. Some states have decriminalized marijuana and others have not. Vermont and DC do not allow marijuana sales for recreational purposes.

4. What is the difference between marijuana legalization and marijuana decriminalization?

Legalization represents the removal of all government-enforced penalties for possessing and using marijuana while decriminalization generally eliminates jail time but other penalties remain in place.

5. Why does the ACLU argue that marijuana prohibition is bad for the government?

It costs a lot of money and law enforcement's time. It also damages the government's credibility.

6. Why do some argue that "Big Marijuana" corporations would be dangerous if marijuana were legalized?

They would market and sell to heavy pot users that may have a drug problem. 

7. How has public support for marijuana legalization changed since the year 2000?

Support for the legalization of marijuana has increased from 12 percent in 1969 to 31 percent in 2000 and 66 percent in 2018. 

8. How does the federal government classify marijuana?  What does that mean?

The federal government classifies marijuana as a schedule 1 drug, meanning it has no perceived medical value annd has a high potential for abuse. 

9. How have the Obama and Trump administrations treated the states that have decided to legalize marijuana?

The Obama administration took a relaxed approach to marijuana legalization, generally letting states do as they wish as long as they met certain criteria. The Trump administration suggested it would take a tougher line, but the current Attorney General said he would go back to Obama's policies. 

10. Why are many marijuana businesses in "legal states" operating only in cash and not using banks?

Many banks are nervous about dealing with businesses that are essentially breaking federal law.