It may only be the second week of January but 2018 is already proving that it will be a big year for cannabis in the US. Several states are set to begin selling medical or fully legalized cannabis and legislation for cannabis reform is expected in new states. Let's take a moment to review some of these changes and how they might affect your state:
California
As many of you know, California began selling recreational cannabis on January 1. Medical cannabis has been approved since 1996 for many different conditions.
For those who are interested in continuing to use medical cannabis, you may be wondering how recreational legalization could affect you. The good news is that it shouldn’t affect you very much at all – and you will continue to experience the benefits of having medical cannabis card. These benefits include the ability to grow more plants at home, saving on some taxes, and purchasing stronger medicine, if you need it.
Recently, California also introduced legislature that would overturn the convictions of those jailed for cannabis charges, which could greatly impact the justice system in the state.
Massachusetts
In 2012, Massachusetts passed legislature to legalize medical cannabis. And although recreational cannabis was legalized in July of 2017, sales have been delayed until July of this year. In addition, a newly formed organization, the Cannabis Control Commission, will be regulating a slow rollout of edible cannabis before they are available for sale. Medical cannabis users will be able to continue to purchase their products tax-free.
Vermont
Just this week, Vermont passed legislature to fully legalize cannabis. Since this news is very recent, it is unknown how this will affect medical cannabis, which was approved in 2004. Under their state policy, patients can buy up to 2 ounces of product and can grow up to 9 plants at home.
West Virginia
Medical cannabis was approved in April of 2017. Applications for dispensaries will become available during the first quarter of this year, and patients may buy products to treat fifteen different medical conditions. However, patients will not be able to smoke cannabis; instead they can consume it in tincture or topical forms.
Michigan and New Jersey (and possibly even Rhode Island, Connecticut, Delaware, New York, and Ohio) are expected to propose full legalization in 2018, while Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, Missouri, and Kentucky are contemplating medical cannabis approval.
And let’s not forget that our neighbor to the north, Canada, will be fully legalizing this summer.
The cannabis legalization map is quickly changing, with widespread impacts that will likely unfold just as swiftly.
Stay tuned as we continue to follow these policy changes in 2018.
