Legal Status of Marijuana in the USA: 8 Important Points

Фото: Depositphotos

Four years ago, the official sale of recreational marijuana was not allowed. Today the situation is different. Some states legalized the use and sale of medical marijuana, and the state budget began to receive about 4,5 billion dollars in profits.

Given that laws have been passed relatively recently, some legal aspects are imprecise.

Here's what you need to know:

1. In Oregon, Washington and Colorado, anyone over 21 can buy weed. In Colorado and Washington, the permit has been in effect since 2014, in Oregon - since October 2015.

2. In Alaska and Washington, DC, persons over 21 are allowed to legally smoke marijuana. However, it is illegal to smoke in those states where it is not spelled out in the law.

3. Medical marijuana is legal in 24 states and the District of Columbia.

4. Over smoking cannabis can still be fired. This will happen if you fail a drug test that is conducted in most states.

5. The government controls and operates a store that sells marijuana.

For example, in the city of North Bonneville (North Bonneville) in Washington, at the beginning of 2015, a store opened Cannabis corner. The profit of the store goes to special urban projects.

6. In states where it is legal to buy and sell marijuana, there are still black markets because it is cheaper. Marijuana is taxed when sold in stores. For example, in Colorado, a shopper will pay 28 percent more, in Washington - by 37 percent, in Oregon - from 17 to 20 percent.

7. Banks are still a huge problem for marijuana stores. The fact is that the sale of marijuana is still illegal at the federal level. This means that many stores cannot open bank accounts because banks are under the control of the feds. But lawmakers have proposed to simplify banking relationships with sellers of medical marijuana.

8. You can't smoke weed in public - anywhere.

Read also on ForumDaily:

In Pennsylvania, legalized marijuana

The first long-term study proved: marijuana is dangerous to health

In New York will be "kosher" marijuana

Does marijuana increase the number of deaths on the road?

Go to the page ForumDaily on Facebook to keep abreast of the latest news and comment material.