Legislating Marijuana
Marijuana is a topic of significant public discourse in the United States, and while many are familiar with the discussions, it is not always easy to find the latest, research-based information on marijuana to answer to the common questions about its health effects, or the differences between Federal and state laws concerning the drug. Confusing messages being presented by popular culture, media, proponents of “medical” marijuana, and political campaigns to legalize all marijuana use perpetuate the false notion that marijuana is harmless. This significantly diminishes efforts to keep our young people drug free and hampers the struggle of those recovering from addiction. The Administration steadfastly opposes legalization of marijuana and other drugs because legalization would increase the availability and use of illicit drugs, and pose significant health and safety risks to all Americans, particularly young people.
In 2014,Thirty -five states in Washington, D.C. have had bills introduced to either create new medical marijuana laws, to impose only a fine for possession of marijuana, and/or to regulate marijuana similarly to alcohol. Already, some of these proposals are headed toward enactment. The Maryland General Assembly approved both an effective medical marijuana proposal and a decriminalization bill on April 7, 2014. Meanwhile, the D.C. Council and mayor approved imposing a $25 fine on simple marijuana possession, but the ordinance must survive a 60-working-day Congressional review period before it becomes law. (According to Hendry,2012)" More than half of all Americans live in states that have reformed their marijuana laws by allowing medical marijuana, and imposing a fine not possible jail time on marijuana possession, or making marijuana legally available and regulated for adults’ use." Polls shows that a majority of Americans support making marijuana use legal, and with 86% support for allowing medical marijuana,...