Legalization of medical cannabis in the United States: the latest reforms underway

30 states have legalized the medical use of cannabis in the United States. As legalization is not a closed protocol, states are continually working to regulate it. Here's an overview of the evolution of medical cannabis in the United States.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma which just legalized two weeks ago, is currently drafting legislation to regulate the new medical cannabis market, due to be in place by July 26. Supporters and opponents of a liberal policy are trying to influence the process. As it stands, the measures do not set a limit on the number of dispensaries or on the diseases for which access to the medicine is conditional, but do establish a limit of 12% of THC in the products.

Two new measures have recently been incorporated into the revised law by the State Board of Health: the compulsory presence of a pharmacist in dispensaries and a ban on the sale of flowers and leaves, i.e. smokable cannabis. Oklahoma State Medical Association had held a press conference the day before, and these two measures were included in its recommendations. The decision to ban smokable cannabis has met with much criticism, however, and may well be the subject of a legal challenge by associations and organizations, and eventually lifted. However, patients can still grow cannabis at home.

At the same time Green the Vote is trying to collect signatures to pass a bill legalizing the recreational use of cannabis at the November legislative session.

Arizona

In Arizona, the current state of the law curiously prohibits cannabis oil, the most popular product and reputed to have the most therapeutic virtues. Dispensaries, however, sell the product despite the law. It is mainly patients, especially children with epilepsy, who turn to’CBD oil to stop their seizures, who suffer from this situation as they are forced to act illegally. This situation is the result of a case law, and many patients are trying to appeal on the grounds of their right to access care.

Connecticut

In Connecticut, facing exploding demand, the state has announced its intention to double the number of dispensaries. The dispensaries, for their part, are calling for more cultivation licenses, arguing that it's the product that's lacking, not the sales outlets. The growers, on the other hand, maintain that they have the capacity to meet demand. Everyone is defending their interests and trying to avoid any new competition, as the medical cannabis business generates substantial revenue for those involved. According to Marijuana Business Factbook 2018, dispensary sales reach $75 million. Cannabis is already recommended for 22 illnesses, and regulators are currently discussing the addition of seven more.

Michigan

In accordance with the recommendations of the Medical Marihuana Review panel, The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulation has added 11 new diseases to its list of ailments. that condition access to medical cannabis, doubling their number. Eleven other diseases were nevertheless rejected. Visit Michigan to vote on legalization in December recreational use.

Maine

In Maine, the medical cannabis program has eliminated the list of illnesses associated with cannabis treatment altogether. Prescriptions for medical cannabis will now be left to the discretion of doctors. The new legislation also allows patients to possess up to 3.63kg of cannabis, instead of the previous 70 grams. It also authorizes the creation of 6 new dispensaries, which can now be profit-making organizations, launches a research program on medical cannabis and grants new licenses for product stores.

The law will take effect two months after the end of the legislative session, sometime this fall. Maine's governor, known for his anti-legalization stance, had vetoed the law but a parliamentary vote of 141 to 31, i.e. more than the required 2/3, overrode this veto. He had previously vetoed numerous proposals to liberalize cannabis laws.

Meanwhile, pro-legalization Utah and Missouri are trying to get their proposals through the fall legislative session, which could end up on the ballot in November.