The United States has legalized marijuana in many states. The U.S. is governed by the federal and state governments, with the states having strong rights.
In fact, the federal government has not legalized marijuana, but states have legalized medical and recreational marijuana on their own.
The size of the U.S. cannabis market is tremendous, and the country is ahead of the global cannabis industry.
CBD products are of course legal in the U.S., and the momentum and presence of CBD products is increasing every year.
Recreational Marijuana in the U.S.
As of 2023, 23 states and Washington, DC have legalized cannabis for recreational use.
There are a total of 50 states in the U.S., and nearly half of them have legalized marijuana for recreational use, indicating the penetration of marijuana into the general public.
There are three categories of marijuana use in the United States: recreational use is legal, recreational use is illegal, and recreational use is non-criminal.
Use of marijuana in states where recreational marijuana is illegal can result in imprisonment for approximately one year, depending on the state.
In states where it is a non-crime, recreational marijuana use is illegal but not a crime, so it is not subject to arrest, detention, or punishment. However, even in states that decriminalize, such as Alabama, there are cases where it becomes a crime the second time around.
In California, for example, state laws (Statutes) and regulations determine the years of use and the amount of marijuana to be possessed at the state level. In addition, each municipality has its own ordinances (Ordinances) that limit the amount of marijuana that can be used.
Even in states where recreational marijuana is legalized, landlords may prohibit the use and cultivation of marijuana when signing a lease, and employment contracts may also restrict the use of marijuana outside of work hours.
Medical marijuana in the U.S.
Medical marijuana is legal in 40 states and the District of Columbia.
More than half of the states have legalized medical marijuana, but only in Nebraska is it illegal to use it for medical purposes. Other states allow some form of use.
Medical marijuana can be divided into two types: legal and only certain ingredients are legal.
States where only certain ingredients are legal include North Carolina, where it is limited to CBD oil, Iowa, where it is limited to THC below a certain level, and Texas, where it is limited to both.
Cannabis is legal in the U.S. (depending on the state)
Both recreational marijuana and medical marijuana are legal in some states.
However, there are some states where both medical marijuana and recreational marijuana are illegal, so it is necessary to check the state laws.
Even in states where medical marijuana is legal, there are some restrictions, such as limiting the use of THC to a certain amount.
Many states have legalized the use and possession of marijuana under state law, but federal law makes it illegal to use and possess marijuana.
Under federal law, marijuana is subject to the same crackdowns as cocaine and other drugs. In practice, however, the federal government has not been aggressive in cracking down on marijuana, so it is subject to punishment as soon as it is found during crackdowns on other laws.
If legalized by federal law in the future, it is possible that all states will move toward the legalization of recreational or medical marijuana.
CBD Products are Legal
CBD products are legal in the United States.
The Agricultural Amendments Act passed by the Trump Administration in 2018 exempted hemp with THC content of 0.3% or less from being a controlled substance.
The Agricultural Amendments Act allows hemp growers to apply for grants to grow hemp, develop CBD products, and conduct research and development.
The CBD industry has grown in the U.S. with the long-standing demand for deregulation and the growing awareness of mental health issues.
Home Growing Allow in some States
Home-growing marijuana varies by state.
Some states allow the cultivation of both medical marijuana and recreational marijuana, while others allow the cultivation of only medical marijuana.
States that allow recreational or medical marijuana include Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, California, Massachusetts, New Mexico, and many others.
Recreational marijuana is legal in Illinois, but homegrowing is not allowed.
Some states do not allow home cultivation under any circumstances, so be sure to check before you go.
What you should know before going to the US
Many states in the US allow the use of medical marijuana or recreational marijuana.
However, even in states where marijuana use is legal, strict rules have been established.
Marijuana use is prohibited in public places, and marijuana use is limited to closed spaces such as one’s home.
Age restrictions are also set at 21 years and older.
In the U.S., a large percentage of people have used marijuana before, making it relatively easy to obtain marijuana compared to other countries.
However, foreigners visiting the U.S. are subject to the laws of your country, and we recommend that you refrain from using marijuana.
Conclusion
As of 2023, 23 states and Washington, DC have legalized marijuana for tobacco use in the United States, while medical marijuana is legal in 40 states and the District of Columbia.
The CBD industry itself is also getting a boost from the 2018 Agricultural Amendments Act, which exempted hemp with THC content of 0.3% or less from being a controlled substance.
The U.S. is leading the way in the cutting edge of the cannabis industry, and we can expect to see further development of the cannabis industry if federal laws are amended in the future.
However, it is important to comply with U.S. law and the laws of your own country when handling cannabis.