The push for legal weed faces hostile ground in red states

[RandySF]

Weed legalization advocates are running out of friendly territory.

The movement has swept the country over the last decade: Nearly half of Americans now live in a state where anyone at least 21 years old can legally possess and purchase marijuana.

Legal weed sales are slated to top $35 billion this year — and are expected to surpass $70 billion by 2030, according to New Frontier Data.

Since December, five new recreational markets have launched, including New York, Missouri and Maryland, where sales began on Saturday. Those states alone added 37 million people to the legal weed column.



https://www.politico.com/news/2023/07/05/marijuana-legal-conservative-states-00104598

[MiHale]

1. And the "forgotten" industries...

Profit also.
Along with being able to purchase cannabis in dispensaries the laws usually include the ability to grow legally. The supporting industries always get busier as the stealth growers move out of the closet and other discover the benefits of growing your own.

[multigraincracker]

2. The taxes going to schools

is helping too.

[LymphocyteLover]

3. Indiana here. I'm all too aware of this. We don't even have freaking medical marijuana.

Though cannabis is fairly easy to access in our neighbors Michigan and Illinois

[roamer65]

7. Soon to be Ohio as well.

Sounds like it may be on the ballot soon.

[LymphocyteLover]

11. which way? Illegalize it?

[Demsrule86]

12. You can get a medical card now...hubs does it for pain...I have tried it when I hurt my knee...it

worked.

[LymphocyteLover]

15. so they want to take it away? How despicable.

[GoodRaisin]

13. North Carolina says hello.

Our corrupt Republicans will probably be the last ones standing with Big Pharma, but we can go up to Virginia or DC to get ours.

[Casady1]

4. The south has always wanted to control everyone

It is really whacked out. I live in GA and it is all about control.

[prodigitalson]

5. I live in Texas which is run by idiots

but surprisingly a bill to decriminalize (not legalize) up to two oz for personal use passed the House, had the support of a majority of Senators, Abbott even said he woulkd sign it. But our Lt. Governor, who presides over the senate wouldn't allow it on the floor for a vote

[BootinUp]

10. kabuki theater, sounds like.

[ShepKat]

6. staunchly conservative states...

Do they ever make the right choices ? Blues has been carrying them forever

[aocommunalpunch]

8. The laziest cops will be found in prohibition land.

Join the future, idiots.

[BootinUp]

9. popcorn anyone?

[GoodRaisin]

14. How about going ahead with decriminalizing it at the Federal level?

Seems like that would help loosen up the holdouts.