Cannabis in the United States#State

The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 was one of the first measures to tax cannabis nationwide.{{cite web|title=Why the US Made Marijuana Illegal|url=https://www.history.com/news/why-the-u-s-made-marijuana-illegal|access-date=7 February 2022|date=31 August 2018}} This act was overturned in 1969 in Leary v. United States, and was repealed and replaced with the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) by Congress the next year.For repeal, see section 1101(b)(3), Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970, Pub. L. No. 91-513, 84 Stat. 1236, 1292 (Oct. 27, 1970) (repealing the Marihuana Tax Act which had been codified in Subchapter A of Chapter 39 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954). Under the CSA cannabis was assigned a Schedule I classification, deemed to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use – thereby prohibiting even medical use of the drug. The classification has remained since the CSA was first signed into law, despite multiple efforts to reschedule.{{citation|last1=Hudak|first1=John|last2=Wallack|first2=Grace|title=Ending the U.S. government's war on medical marijuana research|url=https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Ending-the-US-governments-war-on-medical-marijuana-research.pdf|work=Center for Effective Public Management at Brookings|publisher=The Brookings Institution|date=October 2015}} In direct response, the U.S. Libertarian Party was one of the first major parties to endorse cannabis legalization in their first platform in 1972 which stated, "We favor the repeal of all laws creating "crimes without victims" now incorporated in Federal, state and local laws—such as laws on voluntary sexual relations, drug use, gambling, and attempted suicide."{{cite web|title=Libertarian Party Platform of 1972|url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/libertarian-party-platform-1972|access-date=7 February 2022|date=17 June 1972}} As cannabis prohibition continued into the 21st Century, the U.S. Marijuana Party was formed in 2002 as a single-issue party to end the war on drugs and to legalize cannabis.{{cite web|title=United States Marijuana Party|url=https://ballotpedia.org/United_States_Marijuana_Party|access-date=7 February 2022}} States have also begun to engage in the process of nullification to override federal laws pertaining to cannabis. California started the trend by legalizing medicinal cannabis in 1996.{{cite news|title=US election: California voters approve marijuana for recreational use|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-37917472|access-date=7 February 2022|date=10 November 2016}} Now, cannabis has been fully legalized for recreational use in 24 states, three U.S. territories and Washington D.C., with most states having some sort of state nullification of federal cannabis laws.{{cite web|title=MAP OF MARIJUANA LEGALITY BY STATE|url=https://disa.com/map-of-marijuana-legality-by-state|access-date=7 February 2022}} In 1969, Gallup conducted a poll asking Americans whether "the use of marijuana should be legal" with only 12% at the time saying yes.{{cite web|title=50 Years After Nixon's Commission Said Cops Should Stop Busting Pot Users, the Federal Ban Remains Unchanged|url=https://reason.com/2022/03/22/50-years-after-nixons-commission-said-cops-should-stop-busting-pot-users-the-federal-ban-remains-unchanged/|date=March 22, 2022}} In 1977, it rose to 28% and experienced a period of gradual increase thereafter. According to the latest poll, two-thirds of Americans think marijuana use should be legal.{{cite web|title=Support for Legal Marijuana Holds at Record High of 68%|url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/356939/support-legal-marijuana-holds-record-high.aspx|date=November 4, 2021}} In addition, a report by Business Insider indicates that in 2022 alone, Americans spent an estimated $30 billion on legal marijuana products. The report further predicts that legal pot sales could surpass $33 billion in the current year, surpassing combined sales of chocolate and craft beer.{{Cite web |last=Fastreveal |date=May 29, 2023 |title=USA: Legal Marijuana Sales could Surpass $33 billion in 2023 |url=https://fastreveal.com/legal-marijuana-sales-could-surpass-33-billion-in-2023-usa/ |website=}}

File:PCB top bud.jpg

Roger Roffman, a professor of social work at the University of Washington, asserted in July 2013 that "approximately 3.6 million Americans are daily or near daily users."{{cite news |author1=Roger Roffman |author2=Wayne Hall |author3=Mark A.R. Kleiman |author4=Peter Reuter |author5=Norm Stamper |title=If Marijuana Is Legal, Will Addiction Rise? |date=July 19, 2009 |url=http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/19/if-marijuana-is-legal-will-addiction-rise/ |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 27, 2009 |archive-date=July 25, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090725095612/http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/19/if-marijuana-is-legal-will-addiction-rise/ |url-status=live }} Peter Reuter, a professor at the School of Public Policy and the Department of Criminology at the University of Maryland, College Park, said that "experimenting with marijuana has long been a normal part of growing up in the U.S.; about half of the population born since 1960 has tried the drug by age 21." A World Health Organization survey found that the U.S. is the world's leading per capita marijuana consumer.{{cite journal | last1 = Degenhardt | first1 = L | last2 = Chiu W-T | first2 = Sampson N | last3 = Kessler | first3 = RC | last4 = Anthony | first4 = JC | year = 2008 | title = Toward a Global View of Alcohol, Tobacco, Cannabis, and Cocaine Use: Findings from the WHO World Mental Health Surveys | journal = PLOS Med | volume = 5 | issue = 7| page = e141 | doi = 10.1371/journal.pmed.0050141 | pmid = 18597549 |display-authors=etal | pmc = 2443200 | doi-access = free }} The 2007 National Survey on Drug Use & Health prepared by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services indicated that 14.4 million U.S. citizens over the age of 12 had used marijuana within a month.{{cite web |url=http://www.samhsa.gov/data/nsduh/2k7nsduh/2k7Results.htm |title=Results from the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings |access-date=March 28, 2013 |year=2007 |publisher=U.S. Department of Human Health and Services |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130129104140/http://www.samhsa.gov/data/nsduh/2k7nsduh/2k7Results.htm |archive-date=January 29, 2013 |url-status=dead }} The 2008 survey found that 35 million Americans{{cite web |author=SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies |url=http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/NSDUH/2K8NSDUH/tabs/Sect1peTabs1to46.htm#Tab1.1A |title=2008 Tables: Illicit Drug Use - 1.1 to 1.46 (PE), SAMHSA OAS |publisher=Oas.samhsa.gov |access-date=September 15, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100904074904/http://oas.samhsa.gov/NSDUH/2K8NSDUH/tabs/Sect1peTabs1to46.htm#Tab1.1A |archive-date=September 4, 2010 |df=mdy }} were willing to tell government representatives{{cite web |author=NORML / By Paul Armentano |url=http://www.alternet.org/drugreporter/142556/over_100_million_americans_have_smoked_marijuana_--_and_it's_still_illegal_/ |title=Over 100 Million Americans Have Smoked Marijuana - And It's Still Illegal? | Drugs |publisher=AlterNet |date=September 10, 2009 |access-date=September 15, 2010 |archive-date=December 7, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091207150849/http://www.alternet.org/drugreporter/142556/over_100_million_americans_have_smoked_marijuana_--_and_it's_still_illegal_ |url-status=live }} that they had used marijuana in the past year.

According to the 2001 National Survey on Drug Use and Health by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 41.9% (more than 2 in 5) of all Americans 12 or older have used cannabis at some point in their lives, while 11.5% (about 1 in 9) reported using it "this year."[http://www.samhsa.gov/data/NSDUH/2011SummNatFindDetTables/NSDUH-DetTabsPDFWHTML2011/2k11DetailedTabs/Web/HTML/NSDUH-DetTabsSect1peTabs1to46-2011.htm#Tab1.1B Table 1.1B – Types of Illicit Drug Use in Lifetime, Past Year, and Past Month among Persons Aged 12 or Older: Percentages, 2010 and 2011] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511112745/http://www.samhsa.gov/data/NSDUH/2011SummNatFindDetTables/NSDUH-DetTabsPDFWHTML2011/2k11DetailedTabs/Web/HTML/NSDUH-DetTabsSect1peTabs1to46-2011.htm#Tab1.1B |date=May 11, 2013 }}? According to a 2022 Gallup survey, 16% of Americans reported being marijuana smokers (up from 7% in 2013) and 48% reported trying marijuana at some point in their lifetimes (up from 4% in 1969).{{Cite web |publisher=Gallup, Inc. |date=2022-08-16 |title=Americans Not Convinced Marijuana Benefits Society |url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/396893/americans-not-convinced-marijuana-benefits-society.aspx |access-date=2022-08-17 |language=en-US}}

Medical use is a common reason people buy cannabis online. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, "Medical marijuana refers to using the whole unprocessed marijuana plant or its basic extracts to treat a disease or symptom." While some report symptom relief from buying cannabis online, scientific evidence on its effectiveness remains inconsistent. More research is needed to confirm its benefits and evaluate potential risks. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not officially approved marijuana as a medicine.{{Cite web |url=https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana-medicine |title=Marijuana as Medicine |publisher=National Institute on Drug Abuse |access-date=November 21, 2016 |archive-date=April 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417154854/https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana-medicine |url-status=live }}

Cannabis has been used for its therapeutic effects since it was first documented in China in 2800 Bc. In the 19th century scientist believed that using drugs like cannabis can prevent and cure diseases due to the plants therapeutic properties.{{Cite web |title=ScienceDirect.com {{!}} Science, health and medical journals, full text articles and books. |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/?ref=pdf_download&fr=RR-11&rr=8f02d91579775860 |access-date=2024-12-11 |website=www.sciencedirect.com}}

{{Main article|Effects of cannabis}}

Approximately 18 million adults, nearly a third of users aged 18 and older, have reported symptoms of cannabis use disorder, according to a data analysis by a Columbia University epidemiologist for The New York Times. This reflects ongoing use despite significant negative impacts, with around three million individuals classified as addicted. These estimates are based on the 2022 U.S. national drug use survey, which focused on individuals who reported cannabis consumption in the past year. Among those aged 18 to 25, over 4.5 million reported using cannabis daily or nearly every day, and 81 percent of these users met the criteria for cannabis use disorder. Wilson Compton, deputy director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, noted that this suggests that almost all daily users report problems related to their use, and that it is "a very clear warning sign." In 2023, the federal government's National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported a cannabis use disorder rate of 16.6 percent among individuals aged 18 to 25, which was comparable to the rate of alcohol use disorder at 15.1 percent.{{Cite web |last=Twohey |first=Megan |last2=Ivory |first2=Danielle |last3=Kessler |first3=Carson |date=October 4, 2024 |title=As America’s Marijuana Use Grows, So Do the Harms |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/04/us/cannabis-marijuana-risks-addiction.html |website=The New York Times}}

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, resulting from heavy cannabis use, is characterized by nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. It can lead to severe dehydration, seizures, kidney failure, and cardiac arrest, with at least eight reported deaths in the United States. Since its documentation in 2004, there has been a significant rise in reported cases. Accurate tracking of the condition is difficult due to inconsistent recording in medical records. Researchers estimate that up to one-third of near-daily cannabis users in the U.S. may experience symptoms, ranging from mild to severe, affecting approximately six million people. The rise of the syndrome in the past two decades coincides with the expansion of marijuana legalization in the United States. According to data from the nonprofit Health Care Cost Institute, cannabis-related diagnoses among individuals under 65 with employer-paid insurance increased by over 50 percent nationwide between 2016 and 2022, rising from approximately 341,000 to 522,000. The organization stated that these figures "almost certainly" represent an undercount.

In 2017, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine released a review of research on the health effects of cannabis, highlighting that the absence of evidence-based information represents a public health risk.

{{Main|Legality of cannabis by U.S. jurisdiction|Legal history of cannabis in the United States}}

{{See also|Medical cannabis in the United States|Legalization of non-medical cannabis in the United States}}

File:Timeline of Gallup polls in US on legalizing marijuana.png in US on legalizing marijuana. See data table below.{{cite news |last1=Saad |first1=Lydia |title=Grassroots Support for Legalizing Marijuana Hits Record 70% |url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/514007/grassroots-support-legalizing-marijuana-hits-record.aspx |work=Gallup.com |publisher=Gallup, Inc. |date=8 November 2023 |language=en}} Data link is at bottom of graph.]]

Since the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 classified marijuana as a Schedule I drug, until the passage of the 2018 United States farm bill, under federal law it was illegal to possess, use, buy, sell, or cultivate cannabis in all U.S. jurisdictions. As a Schedule I substance, the highest restriction of five different schedules of controlled substances, it is claimed cannabis has a high potential for abuse and has no acceptable medical use. Despite this federal prohibition, some state and local governments established laws attempting to decriminalize cannabis, which has reduced the number of "simple possession" offenders sent to jail, since federal law enforcement rarely targets individuals directly for such relatively minor offenses. Other state and local governments ask law enforcement agencies to limit enforcement of drug laws with respect to cannabis. However, under the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, federal law preempts conflicting state and local laws. In most cases, the absence of a state law does not present a preemption conflict with a federal law.

The federal government criminalized marijuana under the Interstate Commerce Clause, and the application of these laws to intrastate commerce were addressed squarely by the U.S. Supreme Court in Gonzales v. Raich, 545 U.S. 1, in 2005.

In January 2009, President Barack Obama's transition team organized a poll to clarify some of the top issues the American public wants to have his administration look into, and two of the top ten ideas were to legalize the use of cannabis.{{cite web|url=http://citizensbriefingbook.change.gov/ideas/ideaList.apexp?c=09a800000004fo6&lsi=2 |title=Citizens Briefing Book| access-date= 20 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090120001947/http://citizensbriefingbook.change.gov/ideas/ideaList.apexp?c=09a800000004fo6&lsi=2 |archive-date=January 20, 2009 |df=mdy }} In July 2009, Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, clarified the federal government's position when he stated that "marijuana is dangerous and has no medicinal benefit" and that "legalization is not in the president's vocabulary, and it's not in mine."{{cite web |url=http://komonews.com/news/local/kerlikowske-legal-pot-not-in-my-vocabulary |title=Kerlikowske: Legal pot 'not in my vocabulary' |publisher=KOMO News |date=August 7, 2009 |access-date=July 21, 2016 |archive-date=August 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817083547/http://komonews.com/news/local/kerlikowske-legal-pot-not-in-my-vocabulary |url-status=live }} However, a January 2010 settlement between the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana (WAMM) provided an example confirming the administration policy as communicated by Attorney General Eric Holder, as WAMM reached an agreement that allowed them to re-open after being shut down by the federal government in 2002.{{cite web |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_14247895?nclick_check=1 |title=Santa Cruz medical pot collective settles lawsuit with feds - San Jose Mercury News |work=Mercurynews.com |date=January 22, 2010 |access-date=September 15, 2010 |archive-date=June 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604034315/http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_14247895?nclick_check=1 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/localnews/ci_14247903 |title=Santa Cruz medical pot collective settles lawsuit with feds |publisher=Inside Bay Area |access-date=September 15, 2010 |archive-date=June 6, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606121643/http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/localnews/ci_14247903 |url-status=live }}

Following the 2012 presidential election, the Office of National Drug Control Policy under the Obama administration stated that it "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".{{Cite web |url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/ondcp/marijuanainfo |via=National Archives |work=whitehouse.gov |title=Marijuana Resource Center |access-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-date=January 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120044944/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/ondcp/marijuanainfo |url-status=live }} In February 2014, the administration issued guidelines to banks for conducting transactions with legal marijuana sellers so these new businesses can stash away savings, make payroll, and pay taxes like any other enterprise.{{cite news|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/govt-issues-roadmap-banks-marijuana-business |title=Feds Let Banks and Marijuana Sellers Do Business |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214193859/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/govt-issues-roadmap-banks-marijuana-business |archive-date=February 14, 2014 |df=mdy }} However, marijuana businesses still lack access to banks and credit unions due to Federal Reserve regulations.{{cite news|url=http://www.regblog.org/2015/09/22/schlabs-marijuana-industry-banking/|title=The Marijuana Industry's Access to Banks|access-date=October 23, 2015|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924172310/http://www.regblog.org/2015/09/22/schlabs-marijuana-industry-banking/|url-status=live}}

On August 29, 2013, the Justice Department adopted a new policy (known as the Cole memo) regarding the enforcement of federal law in states that have legalized non-medical cannabis. The policy specified that commercial distribution of cannabis would be generally tolerated, except in certain circumstances, such as if violence or firearms are involved, the proceeds go to gangs and cartels, or if the cannabis is distributed to states where it is illegal.{{cite news|last1=Rough|first1=Lisa|title=The Cole Memo: What Is It and What Does It Mean?|url=https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/what-is-the-cole-memo|access-date=January 11, 2018|work=Leafly|date=September 14, 2017|archive-date=January 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112231033/https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/what-is-the-cole-memo|url-status=live}}

On December 11, 2014, the Department of Justice told U.S. attorneys to allow Native American tribes on reservations to grow and sell marijuana, even in states where it is illegal. The policy will be implemented on a case-by-case basis and tribes must still follow federal guidelines.{{Cite news|author=Phelps, Timothy M.|access-date=December 12, 2014|url=http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-marijuana-indians-20141211-story.html|title=U.S. won't stop Native Americans from growing, selling pot on their lands|work=Los Angeles Times|archive-date=December 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211135850/http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-marijuana-indians-20141211-story.html|url-status=live}}

On May 30, 2014, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Rohrabacher–Farr amendment, prohibiting the Justice Department from spending funds to interfere with the implementation of state medical marijuana laws. The amendment became law in December 2014, and must be renewed each year in order to remain in effect.{{cite news|last1=Sullum|first1=Jacob|title=The Federal Ban on Medical Marijuana Was Not Lifted|url=http://reason.com/archives/2016/01/04/the-federal-ban-on-medical-marijuana-was|access-date=February 7, 2017|work=Reason|date=January 4, 2016|archive-date=November 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129110302/http://reason.com/archives/2016/01/04/the-federal-ban-on-medical-marijuana-was|url-status=live}}

On March 10, 2015, U.S. Senators Rand Paul, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Cory Booker introduced the Compassionate Access, Research Expansion and Respect States Act or CARERS Act. The bipartisan bill would move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act. This would allow states with medical cannabis laws to legally prescribe it, and allow for much easier research into its medical efficacy. The bill would also allow grow sites besides the University of Mississippi, which has long been the sole supplier of cannabis for academic research, to supply cannabis for study.{{cite news|last1=Kroll|first1=David|title=Senators Introduce Bill To End Federal Curbs On Medical Marijuana|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidkroll/2015/03/11/is-congress-planning-to-legalize-marijuana/|work=Forbes|access-date=March 12, 2015|archive-date=March 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150313033844/http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidkroll/2015/03/11/is-congress-planning-to-legalize-marijuana/|url-status=live}}

The Food and Drug Administration has approved two synthetic cannabis drugs for treating cancer and other medical issues.{{cite web|url=https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/ucm421163.htm|title=Public Health Focus - FDA and Marijuana|first=Office of the|last=Commissioner|website=www.fda.gov|access-date=December 16, 2019|archive-date=December 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204080120/https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/fda-and-cannabis-research-and-drug-approval-process|url-status=dead}} The federal government of the U.S. continues to argue that smoked cannabis has no recognized medical purpose (pointing to a definition of "medical purpose" published by the DEA, not the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control, or the office of the U.S. Surgeon General and the U.S. Public Health Service). Many officials point to the difficulty of regulating dosage of cannabis (a problem for treatment as well as research), despite the availability (in Canada and the United Kingdom) of dosage-controlled Sativex. The U.S. has also pressured other governments (especially Canada and Mexico, with which it shares borders) to retain restrictions on marijuana.

On January 4, 2018, the Cole memo was rescinded by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, restoring the ability of US Attorneys to enforce federal law in states that have legalized non-medical cannabis.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/04/us/politics/marijuana-legalization-justice-department-prosecutions.html|title=Trump Administration Takes Step That Could Threaten Marijuana Legalization Movement|first1=Charlie|last1=Savage|first2=Jack|last2=Healy|work=The New York Times |date=January 6, 2018|access-date=January 6, 2018|via=NYTimes.com|archive-date=March 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310025804/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/04/us/politics/marijuana-legalization-justice-department-prosecutions.html|url-status=live}}

On December 20, 2018, President Donald Trump signed the farm bill which descheduled hemp, making cannabis under 0.3% THC legal once again.{{citation|title=Hemp is officially legalized with President Trump's signature on farm bill|newspaper=The Boston Globe|date=December 20, 2018|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/marijuana/2018/12/20/hemp-officially-legalized-with-president-trump-signature-farm-bill/aKmNr3iS2AVJuRUbLPnz6I/story.html|access-date=December 20, 2018|archive-date=December 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221005722/https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/marijuana/2018/12/20/hemp-officially-legalized-with-president-trump-signature-farm-bill/aKmNr3iS2AVJuRUbLPnz6I/story.html|url-status=live}} The law may have inadvertently allowed cultivation of hemp plants with high levels of delta-8-THC, which is also psychoactive and has since become more popular recreationally across the U.S.{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/01/04/1070338052/a-loophole-in-federal-marijuana-law-has-led-to-the-creation-of-new-thc-product |title=A loophole in federal marijuana law has led to the creation of new THC product |date=January 4, 2022 |author=Rob Mentzer|website=NPR }}

In February 2019, three researchers used MedMen as a case study to illustrate their concerns with marijuana companies' marketing practices.{{Cite journal|last1=Ayers|first1=John W.|last2=Caputi|first2=Theodore|last3=Leas|first3=Eric C.|date=2019-05-16|title=The Need for Federal Regulation of Marijuana Marketing|journal=JAMA|volume=321|issue=22|pages=2163–2164|language=en|doi=10.1001/jama.2019.4432|pmid=31095243|s2cid=155103266 |issn=0098-7484}} The authors criticized MedMen's use of health claims without health warnings and their appeals to youth. They called for federal regulators to investigate the marketing practices of MedMen and other US-based marijuana companies.

In June 2021, Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas stated that "A prohibition on interstate use or cultivation of marijuana may no longer be necessary or proper to support the federal government's piecemeal approach," criticizing "[t]he federal government's ... half-in, half-out regime that simultaneously tolerates and forbids local use of marijuana."{{Cite web|last=Williams|first=Pete|date=June 28, 2021|title=Clarence Thomas says federal laws against marijuana may no longer be necessary|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/clarence-thomas-says-federal-laws-against-marijuana-may-no-longer-n1272524|url-status=live|access-date=2021-06-29|website=NBC News|language=en|archive-date=June 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629010617/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/clarence-thomas-says-federal-laws-against-marijuana-may-no-longer-n1272524}}

In 2022, President Joe Biden released a budget proposal that did not extend protections for states violating federal laws around marijuana. It also did not give the District of Columbia permission to legalize, which drew mild surprise among political observers given the Democratic Party's support of D.C. autonomy.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-30 |title=SAM lauds Biden rejection of budget marijuana commercialization |url=https://financialregnews.com/sam-lauds-biden-rejection-of-budget-marijuana-commercialization/ |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=Financial Regulation News |language=en-US}}

In July 2022, Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act "CAOA" [https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/4591 (see Text of S.4591)]' was introduced by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chuck Schumer) (D-NY), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) with the aim of decriminalizing cannabis on the federal level and officially acknowledging states' own marijuana laws.{{Cite news |last1=Steineker |first1=Whitt | last2=Wright | first2=James W. Jr. |last3=Robinson |first3=J. Hunter |last4=Veazey |first4=Slates C. |date=July 27, 2022 |title=Editors' Roundtable: When Will Marijuana Be Federally Legal and What Will That Look Like? |work=The National Law Review |publisher=Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP |url=https://www.natlawreview.com/article/editors-roundtable-when-will-marijuana-be-federally-legal-and-what-will-look |access-date=September 10, 2022}} Even though the bill includes both Democratic and Republican priorities, it appears unlikely to pass.{{Cite news |last=Fertig |first=Natalie |date=July 21, 2022 |title=Schumer's legal weed bill is finally here |work=Politico |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/07/21/schumer-legal-weed-bill-00047058 |access-date=September 10, 2022}}

File:President Biden Discusses Taking the Next Step to Reclassify Marijuana (tDWWZ1zGNwg).webm discusses rescheduling of cannabis.]]

While marijuana has been decriminalized throughout many states in the US, it remains a Schedule I drug as of October 2024. However, on January 12, 2024, the FDA announced its recommendation that marijuana be moved to a Schedule III drug, which is a much less strictly-regulated category and would acknowledge its potential for medical use.{{Cite news |last=Jewett |first=Christina |last2=Weiland |first2=Noah |date=2024-01-12 |title=Federal Scientists Recommend Easing Restrictions on Marijuana |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/12/health/marijuana-fda-dea.html |access-date=2024-01-13 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} If marijuana is rescheduled according to these recommendations, it would no longer be placed alongside drugs such as heroin and, instead, be placed alongside drugs such as ketamine.

This process is very lengthy, and first required a two month period for public comment, from May 21 to July 22.{{Cite web |last=Martinelli |first=Anthony |date=2024-07-22 |title=Today's the Final Day to Comment on the DEA's Marijuana Rescheduling Proposal |url=https://themarijuanaherald.com/2024/07/todays-the-final-day-to-comment-on-the-deas-marijuana-rescheduling-proposal/ |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=The Marijuana Herald |language=en-US}} There were nearly 43,000 comments in total, about 69% of whom stated the government should instead decriminalize marijuana entirely, with 23% supporting the move and 8% wanting marijuana to remain a schedule I drug.{{Cite news |last=Green |first=Hannah Harris |date=2024-07-27 |title=Nearly 43,000 people commented on the DEA reclassifying cannabis. What did they say? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/jul/27/dea-cannabis-classification |access-date=2024-10-17 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} Since then, a public hearing has been scheduled for December 2, and reclassification will not occur until after then.{{Cite web |last=Martinelli |first=Anthony |date=2024-08-28 |title=Six Months Ago, Vice President Harris Said She and Biden "Changed Federal Marijuana Policy": It Still Hasn't Happened |url=https://themarijuanaherald.com/2024/08/six-months-ago-vice-president-harris-said-she-and-biden-changed-federal-marijuana-policy-it-still-hasnt-happened/ |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=The Marijuana Herald |language=en-US}}

Marijuana's status and classification under federal law hinders oversight and scientific research.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}} States have implemented inconsistent standards and regulations, with only two states capping THC levels in most recreational marijuana products and just ten requiring warnings about the potential for habit formation. Even fewer states mandate warnings regarding cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome or psychosis, and none are equipped to monitor or assess the full range of health outcomes related to cannabis use. A 2024 report from the National Academies of Sciences highlights the inconsistent legal framework surrounding cannabis legalization, which prioritizes sales revenue and taxes over public health.{{Cite book |url=https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/27766/cannabis-policy-impacts-public-health-and-health-equity |title=Cannabis Policy Impacts Public Health and Health Equity |date=2024 |publisher=National Academies Press |others=Committee on the Public Health Consequences of Changes in the Cannabis Policy Landscape, Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice, Health and Medicine Division, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine |isbn=978-0-309-71900-1 |editor-last=Teutsch |editor-first=Steven |location=Washington, D.C. |editor-last2=Hurd |editor-first2=Yasmin |editor-last3=Boyle |editor-first3=Elizabeth}} The report calls for a more unified approach to cannabis regulation, including a federal campaign to educate the public about the risks of increasingly potent cannabis products.{{Cite news |last=Richtel |first=Matt |date=29 September 2024 |title=A Patchwork of Cannabis Laws Creates Health Risks, Study Finds |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/26/science/cannabis-laws-health-risk.html |work=The New York Times}} It also advocates for lifting restrictions on cannabis research to better understand its health impacts. The CDC is urged to take a more active role in shaping cannabis policy, but additional funding would be required to implement these recommendations.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-26 |title=US health authorities need to play a larger role in cannabis policy, a new report says |url=https://apnews.com/article/cannabis-marijuana-public-health-report-cdc-c6368ec485838ffc98bfbf7412f188ed |access-date=2024-09-29 |website=AP News |language=en}}

{{clear}}

{{See also|Legalization of non-medical cannabis in the United States|Medical cannabis in the United States}}

File:Uncle Herb’s.jpg]]

In 1973 Oregon became the first state to decriminalize cannabis, and in 2012 Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize recreational use.{{cite web |title=Milestones in U.S. Marijuana Laws |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/10/27/us/marijuana-legalization-timeline.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=July 5, 2018 |archive-date=July 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705121502/https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/10/27/us/marijuana-legalization-timeline.html |url-status=live }} As of November 2023, twenty-four states (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington), Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational use of cannabis, with all but Virginia and D.C. having legalized its commercial sale.{{cite web|title=Marijuana Overview|url=http://www.ncsl.org/research/civil-and-criminal-justice/marijuana-overview.aspx|website=National Conference of State Legislatures|access-date=July 5, 2018|archive-date=June 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624085932/http://www.ncsl.org/research/civil-and-criminal-justice/marijuana-overview.aspx|url-status=live}} Another 7 states are considered to have decriminalization policies in effect.

In 1996, California became the first state to legalize the medical use of cannabis when voters approved Proposition 215. As of March 2023, thirty-eight states, four out of five permanently inhabited U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia have legalized medical cannabis. Ten other states have more restrictive laws limiting THC content, for the purpose of allowing access to products that are rich in cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive component of cannabis. In 2024 thirty-seven states including District of Columbia have legalized the use of medical marijuana and CBD including recreational use as well.{{Cite web |title=The Economic Benefits of Legalizing Marijuana |url=https://www.investopedia.com/articles/insights/110916/economic-benefits-legalizing-weed.asp |access-date=2024-12-11 |website=Investopedia |language=en}}

It was reported that in 2023 the states with marijuana legalized for personal consumption purposes generated around 4.2 billion in annual tax revenue. However this income does not include city takings or the proceeds that are taken to be distributed to smaller administrative divisions. This means that the number 4.2 billion was actually quite higher to begin with.{{Cite web |title=The Economic Benefits of Legalizing Marijuana |url=https://www.investopedia.com/articles/insights/110916/economic-benefits-legalizing-weed.asp |access-date=2024-12-11 |website=Investopedia |language=en}}

{{main|Legality of cannabis by U.S. jurisdiction}}

{{Legality of cannabis by US state}}

{{Div col|colwidth=10em}}

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

{{div col end}}

{{Div col|colwidth=10em}}

• American Indian Nations
• American Samoa
• District of Columbia
• Guam
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Puerto Rico
• U.S. Virgin Islands

{{div col end}}

Prior to 2021, the National Center for Natural Products Research in Oxford, Mississippi was the only facility in the U.S. that was federally licensed by the Drug Enforcement Administration to cultivate cannabis for scientific research. The facility is part of the School of Pharmacy at the University of Mississippi, and cultivates cannabis through a contract with the National Institute on Drug Abuse, to which it provides the cannabis.

Cannabis research has been hindered by the monopoly held by the National Institute on Drug Abuse that existed prior to 2021.{{citation|last1=Hudak|first1=John|last2=Wallack|first2=Grace|title=Ending the U.S. government's war on medical marijuana research|url=https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Ending-the-US-governments-war-on-medical-marijuana-research.pdf|work=Center for Effective Public Management at Brookings|publisher=The Brookings Institution|date=October 2015|access-date=January 11, 2018|archive-date=December 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229192930/https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Ending-the-US-governments-war-on-medical-marijuana-research.pdf|url-status=live}} The cannabis supplied by NIDA has been criticized by researchers for a variety of reasons, including high amounts of stems and seeds,{{cite news|last1=Hudak|first1=John|title=The DEA's marijuana decision is more important than rescheduling|url=https://www.brookings.edu/blog/fixgov/2016/08/11/the-deas-marijuana-decision-is-more-important-than-rescheduling/|access-date=January 11, 2018|work=The Brookings Institution|date=August 11, 2016|archive-date=October 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019170837/https://www.brookings.edu/blog/fixgov/2016/08/11/the-deas-marijuana-decision-is-more-important-than-rescheduling/|url-status=live}} high mold and yeast levels,{{cite news|last1=Hellerman|first1=Caleb|title=Scientists say the government's only pot farm has moldy samples — and no federal testing standards|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/scientists-say-governments-pot-farm-moldy-samples-no-guidelines|access-date=January 11, 2018|work=PBS|date=March 8, 2017|archive-date=October 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008094329/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/scientists-say-governments-pot-farm-moldy-samples-no-guidelines/|url-status=live}} low THC content,{{citation|title=The DEA: Four Decades of Impeding And Rejecting Science|url=https://www.drugpolicy.org/sites/default/files/DPA-MAPS_DEA_Science_Final.pdf|publisher=Drug Policy Alliance / Multidisciplinary Associations for Psychedelic Studies|date=June 2014|access-date=January 11, 2018|archive-date=December 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171219205040/http://www.drugpolicy.org/sites/default/files/DPA-MAPS_DEA_Science_Final.pdf|url-status=live}} and low diversity of strains available. NIDA has also been criticized for the length of time in which it responds to proposals, and for favoring research on the harms caused by cannabis over research on the health benefits of cannabis.{{citation|title=The Obstruction Of Medical Cannabis Research In The U.S.|url=http://american-safe-access.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/Research_Obstruction_Report.pdf|publisher=Americans for Safe Access|date=April 2009|access-date=January 11, 2018|archive-date=May 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511082520/http://american-safe-access.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/Research_Obstruction_Report.pdf|url-status=live}} In August 2016 the DEA announced intention to issue additional cultivation licenses, however,{{cite news|last1=Staggs|first1=Brooke Edwards|title=DEA hasn't loosened marijuana cultivation monopoly while applications from researchers mount|url=http://www.thecannifornian.com/cannabis-health/research-studies/dea-hasnt-loosened-marijuana-cultivation-monopoly-applications-researchers-mount/|access-date=January 11, 2018|work=The Cannifornian|date=July 2, 2017|archive-date=September 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919070528/https://www.thecannifornian.com/cannabis-health/research-studies/dea-hasnt-loosened-marijuana-cultivation-monopoly-applications-researchers-mount/|url-status=live}} and in 2021 the first licenses were granted.{{cite news |last1=Gurman |first1=Sadie |title=Marijuana Medical Research Growers Receive U.S. Approval |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/marijuana-research-growers-receive-u-s-approval-11621024843 |access-date=August 24, 2022 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=May 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210515223318/https://www.wsj.com/articles/marijuana-research-growers-receive-u-s-approval-11621024843 |archive-date=May 15, 2021}}{{cite web |title=Marihuana Growers Information |url=https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drugreg/marihuana.htm |website=usdoj.gov |access-date=August 24, 2022}}

Research conducted on cannabis also requires licensing from the DEA (specific to Schedule I drugs),{{cite news|last1=Zielinski|first1=Alex|title=The DEA Hasn't Made Marijuana Research Any Easier|url=https://archive.thinkprogress.org/the-dea-hasnt-made-marijuana-research-any-easier-cf21c0a9cc83/|access-date=May 24, 2021|work=ThinkProgress|date=August 17, 2016|archive-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524133933/https://archive.thinkprogress.org/the-dea-hasnt-made-marijuana-research-any-easier-cf21c0a9cc83/|url-status=live}} and approval from the FDA as well. Prior to 2015, research also required approval from the U.S. Public Health Service, but this requirement was eliminated to make it less difficult for cannabis research to be approved.{{cite news|last1=Nelson|first1=Steven|title=Major Pot Research Barrier Goes Up in Smoke|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2015/06/22/major-pot-research-barrier-goes-up-in-smoke|access-date=January 11, 2018|work=U.S. News & World Report|date=June 22, 2015|archive-date=October 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019170220/https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2015/06/22/major-pot-research-barrier-goes-up-in-smoke|url-status=live}} Numerous medical organizations in the U.S. have called for restrictions on cannabis research to be further eased, including the American Academy of Family Physicians,{{cite news |title=AAFP Releases Marijuana, Cannabinoids Position Paper |url=https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20190920cannabispaper.html |access-date=November 3, 2021 |work=American Academy of Family Physicians |date=September 20, 2019}} American Psychological Association,{{cite news|title=Marijuana research: Overcoming the barriers|url=http://advocacy.apascience.org/blog/2017/9/13/marijuana-research-overcoming-the-barriers|access-date=January 11, 2018|work=American Psychological Association|date=September 14, 2017|archive-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004035308/http://advocacy.apascience.org/blog/2017/9/13/marijuana-research-overcoming-the-barriers|url-status=dead}} American Cancer Society,{{cite web|title=Marijuana and Cancer|url=https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/complementary-and-alternative-medicine/marijuana-and-cancer.html|website=American Cancer Society|access-date=January 11, 2018|archive-date=June 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622082320/https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/complementary-and-alternative-medicine/marijuana-and-cancer.html|url-status=live}} American Academy of Pediatrics,{{citation|title=American Academy of Pediatrics Reaffirms Opposition to Legalizing Marijuana for Recreational or Medical Use|url=https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/Pages/American-Academy-of-Pediatrics-Reaffirms-Opposition-to-Legalizing-Marijuana-for-Recreational-or-Medical-Use.aspx|access-date=January 11, 2018|publisher=American Academy of Pediatrics|date=January 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426075849/https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/pages/American-Academy-of-Pediatrics-Reaffirms-Opposition-to-Legalizing-Marijuana-for-Recreational-or-Medical-Use.aspx|archive-date=April 26, 2018|url-status=dead}} and the American Nurses Association.{{citation|title=Therapeutic Use of Marijuana and Related Cannabinoids|url=http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/Policy-Advocacy/Positions-and-Resolutions/ANAPositionStatements/Position-Statements-Alphabetically/Therapeutic-Use-of-Marijuana-and-Related-Cannabinoids.pdf|publisher=American Nurses Association|date=2016|access-date=January 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219004040/http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/Policy-Advocacy/Positions-and-Resolutions/ANAPositionStatements/Position-Statements-Alphabetically/Therapeutic-Use-of-Marijuana-and-Related-Cannabinoids.pdf|archive-date=February 19, 2018|url-status=dead}}

File:US arrests timeline by drug.svg{{cite web|url=https://www.bjs.gov/content/dcf/enforce.cfm|title=Drugs and Crime Facts|publisher=United States Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS)|access-date=May 8, 2018|archive-date=December 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225191654/https://www.bjs.gov/content/dcf/enforce.cfm|url-status=live}}.]]

The great majority of cannabis arrests are for possession.{{cite web |url=http://drugwarfacts.org/cms/?q=node/53 |title=Marijuana |publisher=Drug War Facts |access-date=September 15, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100928113401/http://drugwarfacts.org/cms/?q=node%2F53 |archive-date=September 28, 2010 |url-status=dead }} However, in 1997, the vast majority of inmates in state prisons for marijuana-related convictions were convicted of offenses other than simple possession.[http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/marijuana_myths_facts/myth10.pdf] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203020311/http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/marijuana_myths_facts/myth10.pdf|date=December 3, 2008}}

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's annual Uniform Crime Report, there have been over twelve million cannabis arrests in the U.S. since 1996, including 749,825 persons for marijuana violations in 2012. Of those charged with marijuana violations in 2012, 658,231 (88%) were charged with possession only. The remaining 91,593 individuals were charged with "sale/manufacture", a category that does not differentiate for cultivation offenses, even those where the marijuana was being grown for personal or medical use. Marijuana arrests comprise almost one-half (48.3%) of all drug arrests reported in the U.S.{{cite web|url=https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2012/crime-in-the-u.s.-2012/persons-arrested/persons-arrested|title=Drug Crimes in the U.S.|publisher=Fbi.gov|access-date=July 28, 2016|archive-date=May 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507034954/https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2012/crime-in-the-u.s.-2012/persons-arrested/persons-arrested|url-status=live}} According to the American Civil Liberties Union, there were 8.2 million marijuana arrests from 2001 to 2010, and 88% of those arrests were just for having marijuana with them.{{Cite web |url=https://www.aclu.org/gallery/marijuana-arrests-numbers |title=Marijuana Arrests by the Numbers |publisher=American Civil Liberties Union |access-date=November 21, 2016 |archive-date=December 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230004233/https://www.aclu.org/gallery/marijuana-arrests-numbers |url-status=live }}

In a study done by the American Civil Liberties Union, from 2001 to 2010 Black and white people use marijuana at about the same rate.{{cite web |title=Marijuana Arrests by the Numbers |url=https://www.aclu.org/gallery/marijuana-arrests-numbers |website=ACLU |access-date=21 April 2022}} Nationwide, Black people are 3.6 times more likely than white people to be arrested for marijuana, despite similar usage rates.{{cite web |title=A Tale of Two Countries: Racially Targeted Arrests in the Era of Marijuana Reform |url=https://www.aclu.org/news/criminal-law-reform/a-tale-of-two-countries-racially-targeted-arrests-in-the-era-of-marijuana-reform |website=ACLU |date=April 17, 2020 |access-date=21 April 2022}} Racial disparities vary in severity among states. For example, Colorado has the lowest disparity with Black people being 1.5 more likely than whites to be arrested for marijuana. On the other hand, in Montana, Kentucky, Illinois, West Virginia and Iowa, Black people are more than seven times more likely to be arrested for marijuana than white people. Nonetheless, in all states whether marijuana is legalized, decriminalized or illegal, Black people still are more likely of going to prison on marijuana charges, proving that legalizing or decriminalizing marijuana alone will not change the disparity.

Racial profiling among law enforcement is to blame for these disparities. Law enforcement often targets people on their actual and perceived race instead of having reasonable suspicion for a crime. Minor offense like possession of marijuana are strictly enforced in racial communities, while the same offenses are often ignored in white affluent communities. This racial profiling results in the mass incarceration of Black, Hispanic and Latino individuals.

{{main|Cannabis political parties of the United States}}

The Libertarian Party and the Green Party are known for advocating for the legalization of marijuana.{{cite web | url=http://www.startribune.com/counterpoint-third-or-even-fourth-party-candidates-can-play-key-roles/395471121 | title=Third- or even fourth-party candidates can play key roles | work=Star Tribune | date=October 3, 2016 | author=Steinberg, Oliver | access-date=December 13, 2016 | archive-date=October 31, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031005918/http://www.startribune.com/counterpoint-third-or-even-fourth-party-candidates-can-play-key-roles/395471121/ | url-status=live }} There are also active cannabis political parties in at least five states. These include the Grassroots–Legalize Cannabis Party, the Legal Marijuana Now Party, the Legalize Marijuana Party, and the U.S. Marijuana Party.

• The Youth International Party, formed in 1967 to advance the counterculture of the 1960s, often ran candidates for public office. The Yippie flag is a five-pointed star superimposed with a cannabis leaf.{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=znjlwbfZOTcC&q=yippie+flag+five+point&pg=PA78 | title=Collision at Home Plate: The Lives of Pete Rose and Bart Giamatti, p. 78 | publisher=University of Nebraska Press | date=1991 | last=Reston|first= James Jr. | author-link=James Reston, Jr | isbn=0803289642 | access-date=October 23, 2020 }}
• The Grassroots Party was founded in Minnesota in 1986 and ran numerous candidates for state and federal offices. The party was active in Iowa, Minnesota, and Vermont. Grassroots Party ran candidates in every presidential election from 1988 to 2000.{{cite web|title=Minnesota Election Results 1988, p. 18|url=https://www.leg.state.mn.us/archive/sessions/electionresults/1988-11-08-g-sec.pdf|work=Minnesota Legislative Reference Library|date=November 1988|author=Minnesota Secretary of State|author-link=Minnesota Secretary of State|access-date=December 13, 2016|archive-date=January 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170115184538/https://www.leg.state.mn.us/archive/sessions/electionresults/1988-11-08-g-sec.pdf|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Federal Elections 92: Election Results for the U.S. President, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, p. 9|url=http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/fe1992/federalelections92.pdf|work=Federal Election Commission|date=June 1993|last=Klein |first= Patricia A.|access-date=December 13, 2016|archive-date=December 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161210054019/http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/fe1992/federalelections92.pdf|url-status=live}}{{cite web | url=http://www.ballot-access.org/1996/allvotes96.html | title=1996 Presidential Election Results by State | work=Ballot Access News | date=October 7, 1998 | last=Bickford|first= Bob | access-date=December 13, 2016 | archive-date=January 15, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170115184540/http://www.ballot-access.org/1996/allvotes96.html | url-status=live }}{{cite web|title=2000 Official Presidential General Election Results|url=http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/2000presgeresults.htm|date=December 2001|website=Federal Election Commission|access-date=December 13, 2016|archive-date=September 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120912083944/http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/2000presgeresults.htm|url-status=live}}
• The Legal Marijuana Now Party was established in Minnesota in 1998.{{cite web | url=http://www.thenorthstar.info/?p=12527 | title=Q & A with the Legal Marijuana Now Party of Minnesota | work=The North Star | date=April 20, 2016 | last=Brash|first= Jim | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510221357/http://www.thenorthstar.info/?p=12527 | archive-date=May 10, 2017 | url-status=usurped }}
• In 1998, an independent candidate, Edward Forchion, ran for Congress from New Jersey as the Legalize Marijuana Party candidate. Since then, Forchion has run several times for a number of offices, under that banner.
• The Marijuana Reform Party was established in New York, in 1998, and ran gubernatorial candidates there in both 1998 and 2002.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/07/us/2002-elections-smaller-parties-liberal-party-others-fall-short-votes-stay-ballot.html|title=The 2002 Elections: Smaller Parties|date=November 7, 2002|first=Robert|last=Worth|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 18, 2017|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304120801/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/07/us/2002-elections-smaller-parties-liberal-party-others-fall-short-votes-stay-ballot.html|url-status=live}}
• The U.S. Marijuana Party is an organization that promotes electoral involvement by marijuana legalization supporters. In 2012, the group endorsed Libertarian Gary Johnson for President.
• The Anti-prohibition Party ran candidates for office in New York State for one election cycle in 2010.
• In 2010 and 2012, independent candidate Cris Ericson was on the ballot for multiple offices in Vermont under the label of U.S. Marijuana.
• The Grassroots–Legalize Cannabis Party was founded in Minnesota, in 2014.{{cite web | url=http://www.ballot-access.org/2014/06/15/minnesota-candidate-filing-closes | title=Minnesota Candidate Filing Closes | work=Ballot Access News | date=June 15, 2014 | author=Winger, Richard | access-date=December 13, 2016 | archive-date=October 10, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010045627/http://ballot-access.org/2014/06/15/minnesota-candidate-filing-closes/ | url-status=live }}
• In 2016, the Legal Marijuana Now Party placed their presidential candidates onto the ballot in two states.{{cite web | url=http://www.iowastatedaily.com/news/politics_and_administration/article_43e6ae44-6b12-11e6-aaca-276ee46b4f50.html | title=Weekly politics wrap-up: Ballot access in Iowa | work=Iowa State Daily | date=August 25, 2016 | author=Hanson, Alex | access-date=December 13, 2016 | archive-date=September 15, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915140707/http://www.iowastatedaily.com/news/politics_and_administration/article_43e6ae44-6b12-11e6-aaca-276ee46b4f50.html | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=http://www.twincities.com/2016/08/23/stassen-berger-minnesota-minor-party-choices-donald-trump-hillary-clinton/ | title=Don't like Trump or Clinton? You have choices | work=Pioneer Press | date=August 24, 2016 | author=Stassen-Berger, Rachel E. | access-date=December 13, 2016 | archive-date=October 29, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161029082636/http://www.twincities.com/2016/08/23/stassen-berger-minnesota-minor-party-choices-donald-trump-hillary-clinton/ | url-status=live }}

In July 2016, delegates at the 2016 Democratic National Convention voted to approve a party platform calling for cannabis to be removed from the list of Schedule I substances, as well as calling for a "reasoned pathway for future legalization".{{cite news|last1=Hotakainen|first1=Rob|title=Democrats become first major party to back pathway to legalizing pot|url=http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/election/article91968027.html|access-date=January 11, 2018|work=McClatchy|date=July 26, 2016|archive-date=September 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904111733/http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/election/article91968027.html|url-status=live}}

Gallup began polling the public as to the issue of legalizing cannabis in 1969; in that year 12% were in favor.{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Michael |url=http://www.gallup.com/poll/196550/support-legal-marijuana.aspx |title=Support for Legal Marijuana Use Up to 60% in U.S. |date=October 19, 2016 |publisher=Gallup |access-date=November 20, 2016 |archive-date=November 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161120085734/http://www.gallup.com/poll/196550/support-legal-marijuana.aspx |url-status=live }} The 2017 Gallup poll showed a record high of 64% in favor of legalizing cannabis, including a majority of Republicans for the first time.{{cite news|last1=Ingraham|first1=Christopher|title=For the first time, a majority of Republicans support marijuana legalization|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/10/25/for-the-first-time-a-majority-of-republicans-support-marijuana-legalization/|access-date=January 11, 2018|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=October 25, 2017|archive-date=January 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110142755/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/10/25/for-the-first-time-a-majority-of-republicans-support-marijuana-legalization/|url-status=live}} In 2018, the same poll increased to an all-new high of 68%, showing that the great majority of Americans favored legalizing recreational marijuana.{{Cite web|date=2020-11-09|title=Support for Legal Marijuana Inches Up to New High of 68%|url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/323582/support-legal-marijuana-inches-new-high.aspx|access-date=2020-12-03|website=Gallup.com|language=en|archive-date=December 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201213191431/https://news.gallup.com/poll/323582/support-legal-marijuana-inches-new-high.aspx|url-status=live}}

According to a 2013 survey by Pew Research Center, a majority of Americans favored complete or partial legalization of cannabis.{{cite web|url=http://www.people-press.org/2013/04/04/majority-now-supports-legalizing-marijuana/|title=Majority Now Supports Legalizing Marijuana|date=April 4, 2013|work=Pew Research Center for the People and the Press|access-date=November 9, 2015|archive-date=November 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151109211758/http://www.people-press.org/2013/04/04/majority-now-supports-legalizing-marijuana/|url-status=live}} The survey showed 52% of respondents support cannabis legalization and 45% do not. College graduates' support increased from 39% to 52% in just three years, the support of self-identified conservative Republicans (a group not traditionally supportive of cannabis legalization) had increased to nearly 30%, and bipartisan support had increased across the board. The 2018 version of the poll showed public support had increased to 61%.{{cite news|last1=Geiger|first1=Abigail|title=About six-in-ten Americans support marijuana legalization|url=http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/01/05/americans-support-marijuana-legalization/|access-date=January 11, 2018|work=Pew Research Center|date=January 5, 2018|archive-date=December 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231043301/https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/11/14/americans-support-marijuana-legalization/|url-status=live}}

Attitudes regarding marijuana regulation changed as some states (Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Maine, and Alaska) passed their own laws legalizing marijuana for recreational use. According to a Gallup Poll published in December 2012, 64% of Americans believe the federal government should not intervene in these states.{{cite web|url=http://www.gallup.com/poll/159152/americans-federal-gov-state-marijuana-laws.aspx|title=Americans Want Federal Gov't Out of State Marijuana Laws|date=December 10, 2012 |access-date=April 4, 2013|archive-date=November 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125025026/https://news.gallup.com/poll/159152/americans-federal-gov-state-marijuana-laws.aspx|url-status=live}}

A 2018 study in Social Science Research found that the main determinants of these changes in attitudes toward marijuana regulation since the 1990s were a decline in perception of the riskiness of marijuana, changes in media framing of marijuana, a decline in overall punitiveness, and a decrease in religious affiliation.{{Cite journal|url = https://storage.googleapis.com/wzukusers/user-26857839/documents/5c19077499cfdngrg4ST/Full%20document.pdf|title = How and why have attitudes about cannabis legalization changed so much?|last1 = Felson|first1 = Jacob|last2 = Adamczyk|first2 = Amy|last3 = Thomas|first3 = Christopher|date = 2018|journal = Social Science Research|volume = 78|pages = 12–27|doi = 10.1016/j.ssresearch.2018.12.011|access-date = 2018-12-21|pmid = 30670211| s2cid=58949541 |archive-date = September 3, 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190903192235/https://storage.googleapis.com/wzukusers/user-26857839/documents/5c19077499cfdngrg4ST/Full%20document.pdf|url-status = live}}

Marijuana legalization polled as very popular in 2019 according to three major national polls.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/4/15/18311320/marijuana-legalization-polls-surveys-trump|title=Marijuana legalization is very popular|last=Lopez|first=German|date=2019-04-15|website=Vox|access-date=2019-04-16|archive-date=April 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416025442/https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/4/15/18311320/marijuana-legalization-polls-surveys-trump|url-status=live}}

{{Portal|Cannabis|United States}}

• Adult lifetime cannabis use by country
• Annual cannabis use by country
• Cannabis dispensaries in the United States
• Cannabis political parties
• Cannabis: The Illegalization of Weed in America
• Legality of cannabis by country
• Legality of cannabis by U.S. jurisdiction
• List of United States politicians who admit to cannabis use
• Minors and the legality of cannabis
• SAFE Banking Act
• Smoke and Mirrors: The War on Drugs and the Politics of Failure

• Americans for Safe Access
• Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
• Marijuana Policy Project
• National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws
• National Cannabis Industry Association

{{Reflist}}

• Mikos, Robert A. (2022). "Observations on 25 Years of Cannabis Law Reforms and Their Implications for the Psychedelic Renaissance in the United States". Annual Reviews.
• Anderson, D. Mark, and Daniel I. Rees. 2023. "[https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jel.20211635 The Public Health Effects of Legalizing Marijuana]." Journal of Economic Literature 61(1): 86–143.
• Reefer Madness, a 2003 book by Eric Schlosser, detailing the history of marijuana laws in the United States
• The Emperor Wears No Clothes, a 1985 book by Jack Herer

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20071012231421/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/09/20/60minutes/main3281715.shtml "Debate on California's Pot Shops"] from the CBS news show 60 Minutes
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090725204948/http://www.fresnobee.com/local/story/1553061.html "President Obama's Drug Czar: Feds Won't Support Legalized Pot"], Fresno Bee, July 22, 2009
• [http://www.latimes.com/features/image/la-ig-potculture30-2009aug30,0,669328.story "Marijuana's New High Life"] by the Los Angeles Times
• {{JSTOR|1955048}} Marijuana Use, Social Discontent and Political Alienation] by James W. Clarke and E. Lester Levine

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