Sessions and Trump seem to be battling over whether the war on Cannabis is on or not. Sessions is blaming Cannabis for the Opioid Crisis and no one knows if they can trust Trump to protect states’ rights.
It’s hasn’t stopped anyone from going forward with their plans of legal Recreational Cannabis however. After Trump’s conversation with Senator Gardner promising to block the efforts of the DOJ, it’s full speed ahead for the industry.
There are 12 states working for legislature on Cannabis but only a few likely to be selling by the end of the year.
Vermont
Already ahead of schedule, Vermont legalized Recreational Cannabis for adult use towards the end of January early this year. Vermont is actually a state with no Citizen Referendum therefore, their legislature was actually governor approved instead of by citizen ballot. This does set a precedent for other states without citizen referendum to come to a bipartisan agreement.
Vermont’s legislature does not create a system for taxed and regulated Cannabis making it the only one not poised for sale immediately.
In the state of Vermont, the bill that made it legal for adults 21 and over to possess up to an ounce of bud or five grams of hash, and to cultivate up to two mature plants and four immature plants at home.
New Jersey
Legalizing Cannabis was actually one of Governor Phil Murphys major campaign promises.
New Jersey is one of the non-citizen referendum states battling legislature as well. Though they have yet not approved any bill as Vermont has, they are evaluating the impact legal Cannabis can have on their state.
N.J. currently holds a record for cannabis possession arrest in 2015. Lawmakers hope that legalization will help correct the social injustice caused my the arrest pertaining to Cannabis.
Michigan
Michigan isn’t as far along as Vermont and New Jersey but still are in the running for legalization this year. If approved, they would be the first Midwestern state to end cannabis prohibition. There was an unsuccessful attempt in 2016 but, the projected outcome around 58% would put them right over to make 2018 different.
Advocates are hoping to see a vote for Cannabis on the November ballot.
Written by: Joycelin A.
