The marijuana authorization initiative grabbed major wins during America’s 2020 General Election. Joe Biden, a President-Elect whose campaign featured cannabis expungements and decriminalization, may dictate a countrywide shift in public and policy attitude towards marijuana this year.
Towards the election, marijuana was already authorized for recreational purposes in eleven states. By the end of January 2021, sales and possessions will be legal in New Jersey, Montana and Arizona after residents decided to end criminalization. Also, South Dakota’s recent market will be available online come July.
In almost all aspects, 2021 may become a great year for the budding cannabis sector.
With recent marijuana reforms receiving a lot of bipartisan support, it is likely the recently decriminalized states could be a major propeller for state policy changes.
AI Harrington, a former basketball professional and entrepreneur, said that with several states synchronizing the legislative measures in place, it’ll create a pathway on the federal tier for successful decriminalization. He added that when individuals know what works from what doesn’t, the insight needed for a smooth transition will also bring state legalization closer.
America’s Representatives House also approved the MORE (Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement) Act, that aims to terminate state cannabis criminalization. This was the first time a state congressional department passed a marijuana legalization reform.
Although the House vote is good news to activists, the bill’s enactment depends on the Democrats’ power in the Senate. The existing majority leader, Senator Mitch McConnell has adamantly pointed out that he won’t allow the chamber to mull over a legalization reform.
Despite Mitch’s steadfast opposition, Kovacevich Nick (KushCo’s CEO) believes that Republican representatives may not want to vote against MJ bills any longer due to the fear of going against the voter’s opinion.
While speaking on the House floor during 7th December 2020, Representative Blumenauer Earl reprimanded some of his colleagues for failing to support the MORE Act.
