In the United States, the legal status of marijuana is disparate, but is becoming more homogenous. Indeed, all it takes is for one state to decide to legalize marijuana for neighboring states to do the same. In recent months, we’ve been witnessing a veritable domino effect of cannabis legalization, culminating in New York. So, what are the implications for states that have not legalized cannabis, like Connecticut? What will happen if all states grant this status to marijuana? Here’s an explanation.
The reasons for an accelerating trend
This is a relatively recent phenomenon. In fact, it was only in 2012, less than 10 years ago, that Colorado legalized marijuana. This first American state was closely followed by about fifteen states, mainly located on the west coast of the United States, and then by other states over the next six years. Colorado, California, Arizona, and Oregon are among the states that have legalized not only the medical but also recreational use of cannabis, unlike other states, such as Utah or Texas, which only allow medical use.
While there were still eight states with complete marijuana bans, New York’s full legalization of marijuana (including recreational use, becoming the 15th US state to do so) in April 2021 significantly shifted the needle. The pandemic is also believed to be responsible for this sudden relaxation in several states, including New York, and may have been a facilitator in convincing the right people to move toward legalization.
New York, the boost to legalization in the country
It wasn’t exactly the first state to legalize cannabis. Still, when it became possible for New Yorkers to walk into a pharmacy and buy Purple Kush or Royal Cheese, it set off a scramble for neighboring states eager to follow suit. New York State plans to issue licenses for the cultivation and sale of marijuana, which will certainly take some time to organize. Furthermore, only adults are allowed to buy or consume cannabis, meaning those over 21. This legalization is not insignificant. Just as California indirectly encouraged its neighbors to follow its example in 2016, New York is doing the same on the East Coast. After New York, Connecticut has launched a legalization campaign.
Connecticut, the last holdout
The result came shortly after the initial application in June 2021: Connecticut joined the list of states that have legalized marijuana for medical and therapeutic use. A neighboring state of New York, this decision was directly inspired by lessons learned in New York State, as was the case for Vermont. The question now remains whether other American states will choose to fully legalize marijuana to standardize practices and limit illicit markets, or whether the status quo will persist. Today, Idaho and Nebraska are the two main states that continue to fully prohibit marijuana. At the federal level, decriminalization issues are underway, this being a first step towards legalization.
