February 7, 2024 - Federal legislation pertaining to cannabis reform, once a political oddity, now commands significant resources and attention. The debate over the legalization of marijuana has been a long and arduous one, with advocates and opponents fiercely arguing their positions. The history of marijuana legality in the United States is a complex one, with the drug being legal for most of human history up to the early 20th century. However, between 1916 and 1931, 29 U.S. states banned the use of marijuana, setting the stage for the legal battles to come.
Marijuana remains in an odd legal limbo in the United States, with conflicting state and federal laws causing confusion and uncertainty for both users and lawmakers. At the center of this legal quagmire is the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which plays a crucial role in determining the federal classification of marijuana. Vice President Kamala Harris has been vocal in her criticism of the current classification of marijuana under federal law, calling it “absurd” during a White House event.
legalization advocates argue that reclassifying marijuana from schedule I to schedule III would help resolve the conflicts between state and federal laws. The DEA has stated that it is currently reviewing the federal regulation of marijuana, indicating a potential shift in policy in the future. Despite the federal restrictions, recreational marijuana is legal in 24 states and Washington, D.C., with an additional 17 states allowing for medical use.