In the United States, the use and possession of cannabis is illegal under federal law for any purpose, by way of the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. Under the CSA, cannabis is classified as a Schedule I substance, determined to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use - thereby prohibiting even medical use of the drug. At the state level, however, policies regarding the medical and recreational use of cannabis vary greatly, and in many states conflict significantly with federal law.
The medical use of cannabis is legal (with a doctor's recommendation) in 29 states, the District of Columbia, and the territories of Guam and Puerto Rico. Seventeen other states have laws that limit THC content, for the purpose of allowing access to products that are rich in cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive component of cannabis. Although cannabis remains a Schedule I drug, the Rohrabacher-Farr amendment prohibits federal prosecution of individuals complying with state medical cannabis laws.
The recreational use of cannabis is legal in 9 states (Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington) plus the District of Columbia, and decriminalized in another 13 states plus the U.S. Virgin Islands. Commercial distribution of cannabis is allowed in all jurisdictions where cannabis has been legalized, except Vermont and the District of Columbia. Prior to January 2018, the Cole Memorandum provided some protection against the enforcement of federal law in states that have legalized, but it was rescinded by Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
There are currently three cannabinoid drugs (Marinol, Syndros, and Cesamet) that can be prescribed in accordance with federal law. The drug cannabidiol cannot legally be prescribed (as with whole-plant cannabis), due to the fact that the Drug Enforcement Administration considers it a Schedule I drug. Despite this classification, a number of online retailers sell CBD products to all 50 states, claiming such products are derived from industrial hemp plants and therefore legal. The federal government has so far not taken action against these retailers.
Video Legality of cannabis by U.S. jurisdiction
By state
Maps Legality of cannabis by U.S. jurisdiction
Federal district
By inhabited territory
By Native-American reservation
See also
- Legality of cannabis
- Legality of cannabis by country
- Legal history of cannabis in the United States
- Timeline of cannabis legalization in the United States
- Cannabis laws of Canada by province or territory
- Solomon-Lautenberg amendment ("Smoke a joint, lose your license" laws)
References
External links
- State marijuana laws (NORML)
- State medical marijuana laws (NCSL)
- State recreational marijuana laws (NAMSDL)
- State industrial hemp laws (NCSL)
Source of article : Wikipedia
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