MARIJUANA LAWS IN USA

The US marijuana laws are divided into 2 groups – federal laws and state laws – that differs.

The US federal marijuana laws are amongst the stringent legal strictures that govern the usage of marijuana across the country. While many states have eased restrictions on marijuana usage, the federal laws remain rigid. Marijuana, for any use, is illegal under federal law. Even if you live in a state that has enacted legislation or passed a ballot initiative that recognizes marijuana's medical utility you are subject to arrest by federal officials for possession or cultivation of marijuana.

In respect of federal level, marijuana is illicit substance. Under the USA marijuana laws there are federal laws as well as state laws.

The main distinction is that marijuana's medical use has been legalized in 16 states (and not in all states) while federal laws have not legalized medical use of marijuana.

In USA marijuana laws are not uniform, we can see it in certain states like California that is quite lenient whereas laws for example in Alabama and Florida (courts and public have supported the legalization of medical use of marijuana, but it has not been done; person found with less than 20g can be imprisoned for a year) are strict.

In the USA federal laws are quite different from state laws. The federal marijuana laws are contained in the Controlled Substances Act(CSA). It does not recognize the difference between medical and recreational use of marijuana. In many states like Alaska, California and Hawaii medical use of marijuana has been legalized keeping in mind the medical properties of marijuana. However under federal marijuana laws it is a highly addictive substance and it has no medical use. Under federal marijuana laws a doctor can not prescribe marijuana for treatment. The DEA can arrest people for possession of marijuana even if it is for medical purposes. Marijuana is included in the schedule list of drugs.

The federal marijuana laws are quite strict and can give steep punishment to the guilty. Under it, punishment is given taking into account the amount of marijuana in possession and past convictions. If the amount of marijuana possessed is greater a tougher sentence is pronounced. Imprisonment is not awarded in each and every case of such violation of USA marijuana laws, but one can be imprisoned. Under the federal marijuana laws if one is sentenced for a certain period of time then the person has to serve at least 85 % of the jail term.

As was already mentioned medical use of marijuana has been legalized in 16 states but for each of these states the laws differ widely in whom they allow to smoke and how much pot they are allowed to possess. As "use" is meant that it can be smoked(vaporized) or eaten. 

It concerns the following states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhone Island, Vermont, Washington.

ALASKA

-medical use of marijuana there is allowed to people that suffer from one of following illnesses (but only after presentation of doctor´s note): cancer, HIV/AIDS, glaucoma, cachexia, severe pain, severe nausea, seizures, persistent muscle spasms and multiple sclerosis

-patients can possess one ounce of processed marijuana and cultivate six plants, only three of which can be mature plant

ARIZONA

In Arizona, medical marijuana is approved to treat the following conditions: cancer, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Crohn's disease, glaucoma, agitation related to Alzheimer's disease, severe and chronic pain, cachexia or wasting, severe nausea, seizures and persistent muscle spasms. A doctor's note is required.

Patients are allowed to possess two and one-half ounces of marijuana and 12 twelve plants to cultivate.

CALIFORNIA

It´s the only state where doctors can recommend medical marijuana for any condition.

-patients can possess at least eight ounces of processed marijuana and cultivate six mature plants or 12 twelve immature plants.

COLORADO

-medical use of marijuana there is allowed to people that suffer from one of following illnesses (but only after presentation of doctor´s note): cancer, HIV/AIDS, glaucoma, severe pain, cachexia, severe nausea, seizures and persistent muscle spasms

-patients can possess up to two ounces of marijuana and can cultivate up to six plants, three of which may be mature.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

In Washington D.C., medical marijuana is approved to treat the following conditions: cancer, HIV/AIDS, glaucoma, severe and persistent muscle spasms and multiple sclerosis. A doctor's note is required.

-patients can possess no more than two ounces in a 30-day period, which must be obtained from a dispensary.

HAWAII

In Hawaii, medical marijuana is approved to treat the following conditions: cancer, HIV/AIDS, glaucoma, severe pain, cachexia or wasting, severe nausea, seizures, or severe and persistent muscle spasms. A doctor's note is required.

Patients or caregivers are allowed to collectively possess three ounces of processed marijuana and cultivate three mature plants and four immature plants.

MAINE

In Maine, medical marijuana is approved to treat the following conditions: cancer, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Crohn's diseases, nail patella, glaucoma, agitation related to Alzheimer's disease, intractable pain, cachexia or wasting, severe nausea, seizures and persistent muscle spasms. A doctor's note is required.

Patients are allowed to possess 2.5 ounces and can choose to cultivate up to six plants.

MICHIGAN

In Michigan, medical marijuana can be used (only after presentation of doctor´s note) if you suffer from cancer, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Crohn's diseases, nail patella, glaucoma, agitation related to Alzheimer's disease, a severe and chronic pain, cachexia or wasting, severe nausea, seizures or severe and persistent muscle spasms.

Patients can posses up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana.

MONTANA

In Montana, medical marijuana can be used (only after presentation of doctor´s note) if you suffer from cancer, HIV/AIDS, glaucoma, severe or chronic pain, cachexia or wasting, severe nausea, seizures and severe or persistent muscle spasms.

Patients and caregivers can possess one ounce of marijuana and up to six plants.

NEVADA

In Nevada, medical marijuana can be used (only after presentation of doctor´s note) if you suffer from cancer, HIV/AIDS, glaucoma, severe pain, cachexia, severe nausea, seizures and persistent muscle spasms.

Patients and caregivers are allowed to possess one ounce of marijuana and cultivate three mature plants and four immature plants.

NEW JERSEY

In New Jersey, medical marijuana can be used (only after presentation of doctor´s note) if you suffer from one of following illnesses: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, inflammatory bowel disease, terminal illness; if the condition is resistant to conventional treatments, seizure disorders; intractable skeletal muscular spasticity; glaucoma; severe pain, severe nausea, vomiting, or cachexia, HIV/AIDS or cancer.

Patients are allowed to be dispensed two ounces of marijuana every 30 days.

NEW MEXICO

In New Mexico, medical marijuana is approved to treat the following conditions: severe chronic pain, painful peripheral neuropathy, intractable nausea/vomiting, severe anorexia/cachexia, hepatitis C receiving antiviral treatment, Crohn's disease, post-traumatic stress disorder, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, cancer, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord damage with intractable spasticity, epilepsy, and HIV/AIDS. A doctor's note is required.

Patients and caregivers are allowed to possess up to six ounces of marijuana.

OREGON

In Oregon, medical marijuana is approved to treat the following conditions: cancer, HIV/AIDS, glaucoma, agitation related to Alzheimer's disease, cachexia, severe pain, severe nausea, seizures, or persistent muscle spasms, including those that are characteristic of multiple sclerosis. A doctor's note is required.

Patients and caregivers are allowed to possess 24 ounces of processed marijuana and cultivate six mature plants and 18 immature plants

RHODE ISLAND

In Rhode Island, medical marijuana is approved to treat the following conditions: cancer, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, glaucoma, agitation related to Alzheimer's disease, severe debilitating pain, cachexia or wasting syndrome, severe nausea, seizures and persistent muscle spasms. A doctor's note is required.

Patients are allowed to possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and can cultivate up to 12 plants and 12 seedlings in an enclosed, locked area.

VERMONT

In Vermont, medical marijuana is approved to treat the following conditions: cancer, multiple sclerosis, or HIV/AIDS or a chronic, debilitating severe pain, cachexia, severe nausea, or seizures. A doctor's note is required.

Patients are allowed to possess two ounces of processed marijuana and cultivate two mature plants and seven immature plants.

WASHINGTON

In Washington, medical marijuana is approved to treat the following conditions: cancer, HIV, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, seizure and spasm disorders, intractable pain, glaucoma, Crohn's disease, Hepatitis C, and diseases causing nausea, vomiting, or appetite loss. A doctor's note is required.

Patients are allowed to possess a 60-day supply (presumed to be 24 ounces) of processed marijuana and 15 plants.

So why are federal laws against legalization of marijuana? They say that´s because this substance is highly addictive and has no medical use. That´s not true as you could see above. Marijuana helps to many people that suffer for ex. Epilepsy, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C etc. It relieves or deprives them of pain.

Many studies affirmed that marijuana is a cure for cancer (etc.), destroys cancerous brain cells without harming the healthy ones. Otherwise there is also question if can marijuana cause the cancer. Some researches show that marijuana weakens immune system so makes your body more inclinable to cancer or also that smoking of marijuana increases the risks of lung cancer, seems that increase the risks of prostate cancer, testiculia cancer and leucemia (corncerns children whose mothers smoke pot when they were pregnant).

But marijuana is not legalized also maybe because its using is presumption to use of hard drugs etc.