Marijuana Legalization and Decriminalization Overview
Marijuana Legalization and Decriminalistion would greatly affect the criminal justice system, but is this move the right one? This article will discuss the Cannabis Regulation Act in New York, Justin Trudeau’s plan for legalizing marijuana, and the impacts of decriminalization. Let’s dive in! Hopefully, we’ll have a better understanding of the issues surrounding marijuana legalization and decriminalization in Canada.
Cannabis Regulation Act in New York
The New York Cannabis Regulation Act will allow medical marijuana businesses to legally sell their products to patients with a variety of conditions. The law will create a new source of revenue for the state, which will be split between counties and municipalities. The new tax will be based on the THC content of products. The amount per milligram of THC will be two and a half cents for edibles, and 0.625 cents for flower and other products.
A Cannabis Control Board will oversee the Office of Cannabis Management. The board will have five members, three appointed by the governor, one appointed by the Senate, and one by the Assembly. The Governor’s pick for chair will need the approval of both chambers before it can become effective. The state will also create an advisory board of 13 members, including a state and local tax. Six of these members will be appointed by the governor and seven by the legislature.
The New York State Cannabis Regulation Act will separate the producers and processors from the retailers. The Act will also set strict regulations for public health and consumer protection. In addition to the state-licensed businesses, delivery services and social consumption sites will also be legal. Under the new law, the Office of Cannabis Management will regulate the state’s cannabis market. The board will be overseen by a five-member Cannabis Control Board. The new state laws will come into effect on March 31st, 2021.
The CCB is similar to the California regulations, but it differs in some important ways. One major difference is that it requires a license to operate a cannabis business. The new law also requires a license for cannabis events, and a local permit for cannabis businesses. The state has yet to issue final regulations on these matters, so it is unclear how the new regulations will affect existing cannabis businesses. A New York Cannabis Regulation Act license is transferable.
The governor has made legalizing cannabis an overdue priority. After recent scandals, Cuomo’s team made striking a deal a priority. The state has since conceded on several issues, including tax revenue distribution. More than a dozen other states have taken similar steps. With legalization, New York will become the 17th state to legalize marijuana. Just as with other legalization efforts, the state has the power to refuse to host public consumption facilities and retail dispensaries.
The new law allows adults to grow up to five pounds of cannabis. However, the storage law will not go into effect until 18 months after the first legal recreational sale. Cities and counties cannot prohibit marijuana sales until the law has been implemented. Cannabis use in New York is allowed in private homes and state-licensed on-site consumption sites. However, cannabis smoking is still prohibited anywhere where tobacco is prohibited. Further, under the new law, landlords cannot refuse a tenant for using cannabis, but they can still ban the use of cannabis in their properties.
Justin Trudeau’s plan to legalize marijuana
The Liberal Party of Canada is introducing sweeping changes to Canada’s marijuana laws, which will allow recreational pot sales to begin within eight to twelve weeks. While this may not sound like a big change, marijuana activists praised the new legislation, and marijuana stocks rose on the news. However, there is still a long way to go before recreational marijuana becomes a mainstream product.
Liberal Party Leader Justin Trudeau has pledged to legalize marijuana for adults across Canada if elected. The Liberals hope to make the policy a centerpiece of their election platform this fall. The announcement may score points with marijuana prohibition advocates, but it could disappoint some of his supporters. In the meantime, he declined to support broader efforts to decriminalize other drugs.
The Liberal government has argued that the current prohibition policy has failed to prevent kids from trying the drug. They argue that the prohibition policy is not deterring youth from using marijuana, which is the reason why Canadian police spend $2–6 billion each year trying to curtail the problem. This is not only bad for public health, but it also creates illegal profits for organized crime. Ultimately, the Trudeau government’s policy will be welcomed by Canadians and help Canada remain a world leader when it comes to regulating drugs.
Although eight states in the United States have decriminalized marijuana, it remains illegal under federal law. Trudeau’s plan aims to clear up the ambiguity that has plagued the industry for decades. The provinces will be responsible for regulating the sales and distribution of cannabis, which will be legal only for adults. Adults will be able to purchase up to 30 grams of dried marijuana, while households will only be allowed to cultivate four plants. Most people will buy marijuana from licensed commercial vendors.
But the Liberal Party should focus on ironing out the kinks of the new legislation, not on promoting it as a fundraising opportunity. Instead of focusing on the benefits of legalization, it should focus on granting pardons for people who have been arrested for marijuana. In addition, the Liberals should also focus on decriminalizing cannabis and legalizing it to reduce criminal activity.
The bill has been passed by the Senate, although the House rejected some amendments that sought to restrict home cultivation and a wide-ranging approach to the industry. The government still has plenty of work to do before the law is enacted. In the meantime, a second piece of legislation has yet to be passed. This piece of legislation is expected to change impaired driving laws and give police new powers to administer roadside intoxication tests.
Canada currently has strict rules on marijuana. As long as the purchaser is over 18, it will be legal to possess 30 grams of dried marijuana. Adults will also be allowed to grow up to four marijuana plants at home. In addition to regulating marijuana sales, the bill also creates strict advertising rules. Cannabis must be sold in plain packaging and cannot feature flashy graphics or colors. Currently, the law does not allow marijuana to be imported across national borders.
Impact of decriminalization on criminal justice system
Marijuana decriminalization and legalization have both generated strong public support and debate among policymakers. A study conducted by Popular Science magazine examined the scientific and social impacts of these reforms. While it is clear that marijuana decriminalization is a good thing for society, it also poses a host of challenges. To combat these challenges, the state must implement policies that can support public sector employment and reduce crime while ensuring racial equity.
While the federal government still prohibits marijuana, many states have legalized it and have decriminalized it. Decriminalization of marijuana will reduce the incarceration rate of people charged with marijuana-related crimes, which will benefit most Americans. On the other hand, decriminalization of marijuana could negatively affect minority populations and noncitizen offenders. So, it is crucial to understand how legalization and decriminalization will impact the criminal justice system.
The ACLU report notes that while cannabis usage rates are roughly parity between blacks and whites, people of color are much more likely to be arrested for marijuana-related offenses. For instance, black Americans are three and a half times more likely to be arrested for marijuana-related crimes than their white counterparts. These staggering disparities in the criminal justice system are especially alarming when we consider that marijuana is far less harmful than alcohol.
Decriminalization of marijuana has also influenced the penal system. Many states have decriminalized small amounts of marijuana. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics endorses decriminalization efforts that will help cut incarceration rates by allowing law enforcement to focus on more serious crimes. However, most states still maintain harsh penalties for drug possession, sales, and distribution. And the federal government is considering decriminalization efforts in several states, including California and Illinois.
While the impact of decriminalization and legalization on the criminal justice system is vast, it should be noted that marijuana has far-reaching consequences for people of color. The criminal justice system lags behind public opinion when it comes to marijuana reform, but with CLRP’s help, the criminal justice system can catch up. It is time for the United States to stop criminalizing non-dangerous individuals and make marijuana legal in all states.
In an effort to assess the consequences of decriminalization and legalization of marijuana, NHTSA convened an expert panel made up of individuals working in the fields of law enforcement, drug laws, toxicology, highway safety, and other areas. The panel also discussed the next steps for marijuana legalization and decriminalization. It will also discuss the impact on the drug on driving safety.
Recent state legislation has made marijuana reform a central issue. House Bill 399 in New Hampshire allows petitioners to have their convictions annulled, although they must wait ten days for the prosecutor to object to the petition. In Nevada, the Assembly and Senate passed AB 259, but the Governor vetoed it. In Washington, Senate Bill 5605 in 2019 allowed convicted marijuana users to have their marijuana convictions expunged.
