Cannabis has been legalized for recreation and medicinal use in more than 37 states in the united states. However, some cannabis laws will only allow doe a zip of weed. So what is a zip of weed? A zip of weed refers to the maximum amount an individual can purchase without a medical card in states where cannabis has been allowed for recreational use. A zip of one cannabis strain may appear larger or smaller than a zip of another strain due to the different densities and sizes of various cannabis strains and buds.
Here are some reasons why most states have legalized weed:
1. The nation that cherishes liberty shouldn’t allow its individuals to ban weed as punishment.
A nation that loves freedom shouldn’t penalize people for smoking cannabis. Alcohol, cigarettes, and many pharmaceuticals are much more dangerous than cannabis. In a country where the motto is “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” the government shouldn’t be driving families apart over a safer plant than alcohol.
2. Legalizing and taxing cannabis would raise much-needed funds, whereas prohibition wastes public resources.
According to a Congressional Research Service estimate, taxing and regulating cannabis instead of banning it would bring in $6.8 billion in excise taxes. In 2020, Washington State’s cannabis sales taxes generated $600 million.
3. It prevents police from focusing on actual crime.
Police cannot concentrate on serious crimes while cannabis offenders are being arrested. The FBI recorded 663,367 cannabis-related arrests and citations in 2019, which is more arrests than there were for all violent crimes. However, according to FBI data, police only successfully solved 31% of robberies, 31% of rapes, and 14% of burglaries by making an arrest. A more significant percentage of various crimes were solved following legalization in Colorado and Washington, according to data published in Police Quarterly.
4. Prohibition results in a high number of people being convicted
. A staggering number of Americans are involved in the criminal justice system due to prohibition, damaging many lives. Since 1995, there have been over 15 million cannabis-related arrests in the United States, according to the FBI.
5. The laws on cannabis are not appropriately enforced
The enforcement of cannabis laws is disproportionate. According to the ACLU, despite having identical usage rates, Black people are more than 3.5 times more likely than White people to be arrested for cannabis possession worldwide.
6. Cannabis will be inaccessible if it’s regulated than when it’s prohibited.
Teenagers will face difficulties obtaining cannabis if regulation takes the place of prohibition. For example, 40% of high school students said they knew a kid who sold marijuana at school, according to a 2012 poll by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University. In contrast, just 1% said they knew a friend who sold alcohol. Cannabis companies under regulation must verify IDs and are not authorized to sell to or hire minors.
7. Illegalizing cannabis promotes violence.
Prohibiting cannabis encourages violence. Driving this rich business underground leads to violence, just as it did during the alcohol prohibition. Buyers and sellers are both at risk of being attacked.
8. The regulation allows for control.
Control is only possible with regulation. Cannabis will not be subjected to purity and potency tests due to prohibition, increasing the possibility of hazardous chemicals, molds, germs, or even lacing contamination.
9. Prohibition harms the environment.
The ecosystem is harmed by prohibition. Illegal cannabis producers occasionally divert streams, use outlawed chemicals, and leave toxic trash in state and national parks. In addition, licensed cannabis companies are scrutinized to ensure they follow zoning and environmental regulations.
10. Cannabis is safer than alcohol.
Alcohol is more dangerous than marijuana. Cannabis has a lower hazardous profile than alcohol, a lower likelihood of addiction, and a lower propensity to cause life-threatening medical conditions, according to research published repeatedly. According to the data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, acute alcohol overdoses account for an extra 2,200 fatalities per year, in addition to the more than 50,000 deaths caused by chronic alcohol use in the United States. A proven cannabis overdose fatality has never occurred in history, and cannabis has not been demonstrated to increase mortality. Therefore, the law’s attempt to direct buyers toward the riskier drug is absurd.
In conclusion, legalizing cannabis makes more sense to most states as they can avoid the many dangers and adverse effects that come with prohibiting cannabis. Moreover, cannabis is more beneficial for medicinal use. Please note, however, that the use of marijuana should always follow a doctor’s recommendation and comply with the relevant local state laws.
