It’s been a long (and sometimes frustrating) road for cannabis advocates, but it seems like legalization might finally be on the horizon. In the past few years, we’ve seen a growing number of states legalize cannabis for medicinal and/or recreational use. And industry insiders like Mike Staumietis say that with each state that joins the ranks, the pressure on the federal government to take action grows. So, the question is: will federal legalization happen soon? Let’s take a look at the evidence.
The States Are Leading The Charge
As more and more states legalize cannabis, it’s becoming harder and harder for the federal government to ignore the issue. So far, 33 states have legalized cannabis for medicinal use, and 10 states have legalized it for recreational use. That means that over 60% of Americans now live in a state where cannabis is legal in some form or another. With such a large majority of Americans in favor of legalization, it’s only a matter of time before the federal government follows suit.
The Medical Community Is On Board
Cannabis has been used to treat a variety of medical conditions for centuries. In recent years, however, the medical community has begun to take notice of its potential healing properties. A growing body of scientific evidence suggests that cannabis can be used to treat everything from chronic pain to anxiety and depression. As more and more research is conducted, it’s only natural that even more medical professionals will come out in support of legalization. After all, there is no reason why patients shouldn’t have access to a safe and effective treatment for their conditions.
The Economic Benefits Are Hard To Ignore
It’s no secret that legal cannabis is big business. In 2018, legal cannabis sales reached $10.4 billion dollars. That number is expected to grow to $20 billion by 2023. What’s even more impressive is the fact that legal cannabis businesses are creating jobs at an astonishing rate. In 2017 alone, 64,389 new full-time jobs were created in the legal cannabis industry. With numbers like these, it’s hard to imagine that the federal government will continue to ignore the economic benefits of legalization for much longer.
Public Support is at an All-Time High
As more and more states legalize cannabis, the pressure is mounting on the federal government to follow suit. A 2022 Gallup poll found that 66% of Americans now support legalization, a 10% increase from 2021. This kind of widespread public support makes it even harder for the federal government to continue ignoring the issue. The message is clear: it’s time for a change. While the Biden administration has taken a hard line on drugs, it seems unlikely that they will be able to hold out much longer in the face of such overwhelming public opinion. Sooner or later, they will have to admit that cannabis legalization is inevitable.
Closing Thoughts
All signs point to yes—federal legalization is on the horizon. It’s only a matter of time before the remaining holdouts come around and recognize the many benefits of legalizing cannabis. We can only hope that they make the right decision sooner rather than later!
