Medical marijuana laws (MMLs) remove state penalties for the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes under specific conditions. In contrast, countries like the Netherlands have histories of de facto legalization, and medical marijuana programs are often viewed as steps toward recreational legalization (Fischer et al. 2015). Significant health implications have followed medical marijuana legalization in several U.S. states, including rises in cardiac mortality rates. However, this has been offset by reductions in opioid prescribing, especially where cannabis dispensaries are present, though an increase in tobacco sales has been noted concurrently.
In Maryland, adults aged 21 and over are allowed to use cannabis on private properties, but this is subject to the discretion of landlords and property managers. Renters are advised to review their rental agreements, as most hotels also enforce restrictions against cannabis use in rooms.
Nevada’s cannabis laws also allow individuals and property owners to restrict cannabis-related activities on their premises, as per NRS 453D.100. The cultural and social landscape of cannabis has shifted dramatically over the years, especially since the 1960s when its use surged among young adults.
Legal, ethical, and societal concerns continue to shape the discourse around medicinal cannabis. Adverse health consequences and intoxication-related deaths underscore the need for regulated administration and safe usage of marijuana.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) undertook “Operation Bottleneck” to curb the diversion of controlled substances, highlighting the ongoing challenges in drug regulation and enforcement.
For Canadian citizens involved in the legal cannabis industry, admittance to the U.S. is typically permitted unless the visit is related to the cannabis industry, which could lead to being deemed inadmissible.
In the context of Islam and cannabis, legal debates in Iran hinge on the interpretation of laws and the intoxicating nature of substances, with discussions around THC and CBD levels influencing religious and legal discourse.
For further reading on these topics, please refer to the respective resources:
International Perspectives on the Implications of Cannabis Legalization,
Adult-Use Cannabis FAQs – Maryland Cannabis Administration,
Maryland Cannabis Administration,
Laws & Regulations – Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board,
Cannabis: Prevalence of Use, Regulation, and Current Policy Landscape,
Legalization, Decriminalization & Medicinal Use of Cannabis,
Medicinal Cannabis: History, Pharmacology, And Implications for the,
DEA Executes Operation Bottleneck,
Cannabis and the U.S. – Canada border, and
Islam and cannabis: Legalisation and religious debate in Iran.
