Hemp-derived CBD was federally authorized last year under the 2018 Agricultural Improvement Act; yet, in some states, ambiguous rules have left CBD entwined with the legal complexities of Cannabis. As a result, it’s critical to stay current on cannabis legalization regulations in general.
From 1996 to the present, 33 states have legalized cannabis for medical purposes, with 11 of those states also allowing adults to consume it recreationally. In the remaining 17 states, cannabis is still banned in 11 of them, while it is decriminalized in three of them. The legal situation in the remaining states is ambiguous or unknown.
The year 2022 will be a pivotal election year, and as the year comes to a close, six states are working hard to get recreational cannabis legalization measures on the ballot.
New York: Now that it is no longer in the spotlight as the first state legislature to tax and regulate cannabis, the state of New York may feel more at ease about voting, and the fight for cannabis legalization in the state will finally come to a conclusion.
New Mexico: A legislative session to legalize recreational cannabis usage will begin on January 21 and will last only 30 days. New Mexico is well-positioned to legalize recreational cannabis usage, according to Gov. Grisham’s strong support; but, many are wary of getting their hopes up, given a similar legislative session in 2019 died in the Senate after passing the House.
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On Monday, December 16, the New Jersey Marijuana Legalization Amendment was passed and placed on the ballot after receiving the required amount of signatures. Recreational Cannabis legalization in New Jersey is a strong possibility, according to a recent Monmouth University poll. With over 62 percent of New Jersey residents in favor of legalization and significant tax benefits, recreational cannabis legalization in the Garden State is a strong possibility.
There has been minimal impetus on manufacturers to carefully and thoroughly test their goods due to a lack of consumer awareness and CBD laws. As a result, many brands will only test one cannabinoid potency out of every thousand or more units. This is the very minimum of cannabis testing, and it will miss the bulk of the hazardous substances found in cannabis-derived products, as well as ensure the product’s safety and purity.
Consumers are becoming more aware of the relevance and scope of lab testing as they learn more about CBD. Higher standards, more transparency, and possibly regulations controlling the production and testing of CBD products will be demanded in the near future.
