RED STATES, BLUE STATES, PURPLE STATES. In 2021, most of us can agree on the need for more green states. Support for weed legalization is at an all-time high (pun intended!) with 91% of Americans in favor. States are pushing cannabis laws — some slowly, others quickly — with six states already emerging this year. For decades, the U.S. and Mexican governments have been looking for ways to curb marijuana cultivation. They paid farmers to grow legal crops or regularly sent Mexican soldiers to search for and exterminate drug fields. Ultimately, the existing law still treats cannabis cultivation as illegal drug production. Those convicted can expect prison sentences of at least eight years.

Colombia is already an existing competitor and has many competitive advantages for cannabis production, such as climate and sunshine, making production costs low. After Colombia legalized medical cannabis, whose cultivation and processing requires much stricter cultivation and processing standards than recreational marijuana, 29 Colombian companies invested about $600 million to build production facilities. However, transportation costs in Colombia are often very high, as cannabis extracts often have to be airlifted out of growing areas to export transportation hubs. Mexico`s Supreme Court declared the cannabis ban unconstitutional, but as of July 2022, the Mexican Congress continues to fight to pass a full legalization law that would create the legal means of cultivation, sale, and possession for all adults. But barely. First-time offenders caught with an ounce or less are subject to a $300 fine and no jail time, but second and third offences for the same amount can face penalties of five and seven days (plus $500), respectively. After the state Supreme Court withdrew a constitutional amendment on medical weeds from the 2020 vote at the last minute, supporters are preparing to put the drugs back on the ballot in 2022 while pushing for full legalization in the state legislature. Starting January 22, 2021, you can buy and own an ounce of bud in Arizona. Smoking is not permitted in public and you must be over 21 years old to buy.

Adults can grow up to six plants at home for non-commercial purposes, and starting in July, those previously convicted of possessing up to two and a half ounces will be able to have their criminal records expunged. The state already had a robust medical cannabis economy that serves about 300,000 patients who can legally possess up to 2.5 ounces of each type (flower, edibles or concentrate) and, if they are more than 25 miles from a dispensary, can grow up to twelve plants at a time. C`mon Connecticut, you are so close! The votes are halfway, but there is disagreement on how to spend cannabis tax revenues. If the legislature does not pass a legalization bill, the governor expects voters to vote on the issue in a referendum. The state has already taken the decisive step of decriminalizing cannabis for very small amounts. Possession of half an ounce or less is punishable by a fine of $150 (first offence) or $500 (subsequent offences), but not imprisonment. Growing or distributing herbs remains a crime. Meanwhile, the state`s medical pharmacies currently care for about 37,000 patients.

Oklahoma was already in our last good graces for building a boat district in the middle of its capital with a whitewater rafting course, but in late 2018, they unveiled one of the most liberal medical cannabis programs in the country. There is no restrictive list of qualified medical conditions that has allowed more than 340,000 patients to enroll. And unlike many other states, where commercial rollout can remain in limbo for months or years after an election measure is approved, Oklahoma is hit by the ground with hundreds of dispensaries popping up almost overnight across the state. So far, however, the governor has had no luck with decriminalization, as he vetoed a weed policy reform bill and a 2022 legalization initiative in 2020 that was struck down by the state Supreme Court. In February 2021, Virginia became the first state in the Old South to legalize weed. Adults ages 21+ can own an ounce or less starting July 1, though it may be some time (think 2024) before the state starts allowing recreational retailers. Although medical dispensaries went live in the fall of 2020, licensed producers were only able to sell them in smokable form last month, when a law was passed that will give patients access to flowers. A sign of approval for you, Virginia.

Have you been to Montana? It`s beautiful – and it`s improved a lot. As of January 1, 2021, it will be legal for 21+-year-old Montaner to possess and grow up to one ounce of flower or eight grams of concentrate. Recreational sales are expected to begin in October. (Don`t get too carried away, however, possession of more than an ounce is still considered a crime, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.) The bill also provided for restitution or deportation of those currently convicted of cannabis-related crimes. For registered medical users, of whom Montana has more than 31,000, it`s business as usual: feel free to grow up to four mature plants plus four seedlings at home. On January 1, 2020, Illinois became the 11th state to legalize the use of recreational weed for adults, generating $1 billion in revenue in its first year. That`s a lot! 21+ residents can freely purchase flowers in quantities of up to one ounce, but it is illegal to consume them in public. Home cultivation is also illegal unless you are a licensed doctor, in which case you can have five plants.

Lawmakers plan to create 150 new retail stores, allow cannabis visits, and criminalize making a pot pet sick. What, yes please. It`s complicated. Marijuana currently exists in a legal river state in Mexico. It`s not entirely legal, but it`s not entirely illegal either. Some claim that police can plant additional cannabis on a person – usually young or less privileged – who is in possession, so that they exceed the legal limit of five grams. Most Iowanians support a robust medical program and more than half support legalizing recreational activities.