In two decades, cannabis/marijuana legalization has gone from a peripheral issue to an international discussion. In 1990s, few countries and states had marijuana laws permitting medical and recreational use. That number gradually grows up to the native countries and states. If we talk about the USA, marijuana is legal for recreational purposes in 11 states and Washington, DC. Several studies say that more than a quarter of the US population now lives in a state that allows marijuana for nonmedical purposes.
However, cannabis legalization is now spreading its roots worldwide. Uruguay was the first country that legalized recreational cannabis in 2013. Later in 2018, Canada became the second biggest county to legalize marijuana for adults. And that was the time when most of the other countries have followed the same suit and legalize marijuana in their areas.
However, the US still has not made the use of marijuana/cannabis too prompt and surrounded the cannabis industry with many legal guidelines and regulations- the US has not made a final decision to legalize marijuana on a Federal Level.
The legality of medical and recreational cannabis differ from country to country. For instance, if we talk about the relaxation in cannabis and marijuana products in the USA, then it is a country that has settled several norms behind the usage of cannabis-related products. From the form of the product to the ingredients, everything is surrounded by some strict guidelines. On the other hand, Canada is a country where adult cannabis is completely legal without restrictive guidelines.
When the counties entertain the legality of cannabis, it is usually with medical use in mind as cannabis offers a range of natural properties that can be helpful in the health industry.
- Asia:
Philippines and Indonesia are very strict with their marijuana laws and regulations; however, some Asian countries are moving toward cannabis legalization. India is a country where cannabis is in the culture for thousands of years. Despite the Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1985 made its use illegal, there are some states that entertain its use. Other Asian countries like Thailand, has made the use of marijuana legal years back. Have a look-
Thailand:
A few years back, Thailand became the first nation in Southeast Asia to legalize medical cannabis. Thailand was then ready to enhance its marijuana market. As per the research and few popular articles, Thailand removed low-quality cannabis and hemp extract from the list of banned narcotic substances. And, the new law allows each family to grow around six to eight marijuana plants.
Thailand allows CBD to extract only with less or around 0.3% THC (a psychoactive compound). Even the country use CBD extracts to make medicine, beauty products, food, and more.
- Europe:
The process of legalizing marijuana in European countries is a bit slow; it might be possible because of the pressure to do the right thing as there are so many small countries. Governments of European countries are taking the time to make a final decision. However, it may take one country to legalize marijuana for others to follow the same suit.
- North America:
Canada:
Canada legalized cannabis in 2018, and since then, this industry has a potent base there. Canada legalized edibles, vapes, concentrates, and beverages and even introduced four major marijuana pillars that work with the industry. After the legalization, Canada started to sell and promote edibles, vapes, and other products for sale on the market.
The USA:
Around ten or eleven states have legalized marijuana for recreational use, and the other 33 states have permitted it for medical purposes. However, with this legalization, the consumers and the sellers have to follow some strict guidelines. The majority of American citizens are in favor of legalization at a Federal Level.
- Latin America:
Several Latin American countries are not in favor of the legalization of marijuana and but few of the countries want the legalization of medical use. Uruguay was the first country to legalize recreational marijuana, so the other countries can follow the same suit depending on the citizens’ votes.
- Oceania:
New Zealand legalized medical marijuana in December 2018, and Australia legalized the production and use of medical marijuana in 2016- several studies say that around 74% of Australians were in favor of the legalization of cannabis in the same year. Other countries on this continent are following the same suit but in a slow manner.
- Africa:
Africa is the one continent that has implemented the widespread use of marijuana as per the research and few popular articles. The constitutional court of South Africa rules that there will be no penalization for the private use and cultivation of cannabis. However, this rule has not been written, and few authorities have to work on it for the clearance. This rule was implemented for the economic opportunities.
- Caribbean:
It is believed that Jamaica is the heaven for cannabis lovers, but marijuana is illegal in this country. However, in 2018, some small changes were made in the law, allowing the ownership of cannabis up to 2 jots. Even the cultivation of up to five plants in every household is no longer an offense either.
The legalization of marijuana is quite challenging in some countries, but few countries have made it a regular product to open the economic opportunities. However, this is a long term discussion that will continue to grow depending on the countries and their state laws. But there are few policies that majorly every country has to follow after the legalization of marijuana; check out below-
- Preventing the distribution of marijuana to minors.
- Stopping the diversion of marijuana from the states where it is legal to the state where it is illegal.
- Stopping violence and the use of big firms in the cultivation and distribution of marijuana.
- Employing age gate in the online and offline marijuana dispensaries.
- Preventing the false claims about the working and effects of the marijuana.
- Preventing marijuana use on government properties- it depends on the countries and state laws.
