There’s no shedding a different light on it. All forms of marijuana legalization are controversial topics and have been ‘stirring the pot’ between political parties, traditional citizens, and state lines for decades. According to some government websites, marijuana is by far the most commonly trafficked and abused ‘illicit drug’ worldwide. Obviously, this is not an illicit drug, but rather an incredible medicine that can be used responsibly.
The magical green plant yields a myriad of medicinal purposes. Most medical marijuana patients find a new quality of life, are finally able to work without discomfort, and generally are empowered to resume a more normal lifestyle, pushing past their ailments. Despite years and years of medical marijuana studies, and the general consensus among thousands of medically trained professionals on the safety of marijuana, the federal government feels otherwise about Mary Jane.
Timeline of Marijuana Laws Across The United States
The first real cannabis restriction from the federal government was the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 (in modern formatting the 1937 Marijuana Tax Act). This act placed a hefty tax on the sale of cannabis throughout the US to stomp out the industry. This was largely driven by the head of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, Harry J. Anslinger, who had reported to his superiors a substantial increase in marijuana use across the nation. Drafted by Anslinger and presented by Rep. Robert L. Doughton of NC on April 14, 1937, this was the beginning of the end to the largely booming hemp industry for many years to come. Although the 1937 Marijuana Tax Act was overturned in the 1969 case Leary v. United States, it was repealed the following year.
All forms of marijuana, even medical marijuana prescribed by doctors, were outlawed in the 1970 Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This was the true division of folks on the matter. The counterculture was embracing the soothing plant for its calming and mood-altering effects, and authority figures took every opportunity to bust users. It was a time of absolutely zero tolerance, and furthermore absolutely no medical marijuana programs. Talk about dark times for those who just needed a puff to get by. This remained the same for many decades across the entire nation.
West Coast Medical Marijuana Pioneers Break the Mold
One very brave state, thanks to its citizens and the principles they stand behind, broke down the medical barriers set by our federal government. In 1996 California finally jumped the fence with Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act. This law finally enabled doctors across the Golden State to prescribe medical marijuana for any serious medical condition. The act allowed medical marijuana patients to legally possess, grow, and use medical cannabis as recommended by their doctor.
After the Californians spark lit the conceptual flame, it burst into a fire, and started a rampant spread of medical marijuana throughout the country. Several other states followed the highly successful initiative in 1998, and in 2000 Hawaii became the first US State to legalize through an act of state legislature! Fast forward, some open-minded years and more progressive voters getting to the polls, the legalization of medical marijuana had made it to the majority of the United States by 2016.
The Advent of Medical Marijuana in The Sunshine State
Many Floridians used to think that medical marijuana would never be legalized here, but those times are far behind us. Our state has always been conservative on many issues, majorly because of the older population, but progression made its way to the far Southeast. Amendment 2 was approved on Nov. 8th, 2016 by a majority vote. This legalized medical marijuana for HIV, AIDS, PTSD, Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, chronic pain from certain qualifying conditions, and multiple sclerosis.
However, Florida medical marijuana laws did not allow smoking forms of medical marijuana. Patients in the Sunshine State were limited to vaping, oils, or THC pills. Perhaps the most liberating point of our medical marijuana timeline was May 25th, 2018, when Leon County Circuit Court Judge Karen Gievers ruled that the state’s ban on smoking medical cannabis was unconstitutional. This was appealed by Governor Rick Scott’s administration, but Governor Ron DeSantis dropped the appeal thereafter. The DeSantis regime asked the legislature to remove the smoking restriction.
The removal of the restriction was signed into law in March of 2019, giving Florida residents the natural right every citizen should have to be able to access compassionate care in many consumption forms. As another installment, The Florida Health Department approved edibles to be prescribed in September, 2020. Liberty rang throughout the Sunshine State, and patients can now medicate how they choose based on their medical conditions!
If you are experiencing discomfort or have a qualifying condition in need of medical marijuana, book your appointment with Canna Doctors of America today. Our state is behind us to get you the compassionate care you need!