WHY FEDERAL MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION IN AMERICA IS

[RESEARCH]

WHY MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION IS INEVITABLE IN AMERICA

WHY FEDERAL MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION IN AMERICA IS INEVITABLE: TOP 5 REASONS

In the infographic below we present the 5 most compelling reasons why federal marijuana legalization in the United States of America is inevitable. The tide has turned -- fundamental shifts are happening in American society and politics to make national legalization by 2020 a reality.

SCOTT WILLIS, CFA

Monday, July 23, 2018

visit



for more investment research

CLICK TO VIEW THE FULL INFOGRAPHIC

THE MARIJUANA EXPORT MIRAGE | GRIZZLE RESEARCH

2

MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION IS CLOSER IN THE US THAN YOU THINK

After Canada voted last month to legalize recreational marijuana by October 17, on the surface it looks like the US is far behind on the regulatory path. However, looks can be deceiving, and even with conflicting state and federal marijuana laws the pendulum of US decriminalization is swinging faster than ever toward the legalization of pot nationwide. Looking at hard political data, national security concerns and popular support, federal marijuana legalization could be less than 3 years away. Three years may seem soon but regulations could move even faster with legalization in Canada having unintended consequences for the US marijuana market, forcing federal decriminalization as early as 2019.

DECRIMINALIZATION OF MARIJUANA IS GAINING STEAM

Marijuana may be completely legal according to eight US states, but with the federal government classifying marijuana as a schedule 1 drug with no health benefits, the industry is not able to reach its true potential. The tides may finally be changing according to recent data from GovTrack and illustrated by Cannabis Business Daily.

The turning point may already be upon us with two bills introduced recently in the Senate to decriminalize marijuana

at the federal level.

The 115th session of Congress, which began in January 2017 and will run until January of 2019, has seen a 40% increase in marijuana-related bills compared to the prior twoyear period. The Senate in particular has seen more bills in in the last 18 months than the prior 17 years.

THE MARIJUANA EXPORT MIRAGE | GRIZZLE RESEARCH

3

Source: GovTrack, Copyright 2018 Marijuana Business Daily.

One of the two bills recently introduced has a Republican co-sponsor which indicates bipartisan support, an important feature increasing the chances of a yes vote from both sides.

The Republican-sponsored bill looks especially promising as it only seeks to make one amendment to the Controlled Substances Act and doesn't include extra funding or law changes that could antagonize Democrats or conservative Republicans.

The second bill sponsored by Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer is much more ambitious and includes millions in funding for marijuana initiatives related to public safety, public health, and arrests. It's unlikely to make it to the Senate for a vote in our view.

CHANCES OF A BILL MAKING IT THROUGH THE HOUSE ARE SLIM UNLESS THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS LEAD TO A REPUBLICAN SHAKEUP

Realistically, as long as Pete Sessions (R-TX), a staunch prohibitionist, is Chairman of the House Rules Committee, a body that chooses which bills reach the house floor, it's unlikely any of the house legalization bills will become law.

Sessions' congressional seat is up for grabs in November and marijuana advocates may have some hope as his district has been one of the fastest shifting districts in the country in favour of Democrats. It still leans Republican, however, in the state of Texas, a stronghold for Republican candidates.

Source: The Cook Political Report

THE MARIJUANA EXPORT MIRAGE | GRIZZLE RESEARCH

4

THE SENATE CHANCES LOOK SLIGHTLY BETTER, BUT STILL TOUGH

Republican Senator Mitch McConnell, another prohibitionist, serves as the Senate majority leader. The majority leader has broad powers to set the agenda, determine how long a bill can be debated, and even has the right to go first when proposing amendments, substitutions, and motions.

Political change is not going to come from politicians, it's going to come from citizens making their voices heard and forcing the hands of elected leaders, which is now happening.

STATES ARE PUSHING AHEAD WITH OR WITHOUT THE GOVERNMENT'S PERMISSION

Marijuana may be completely illegal at the federal level, but states don't seem to care.

Looking at the chart below, it's clear that legalization of both medical and recreational use is marching forward with or without the federal government's consent.

29 out of 50 states have legalized marijuana for medical use and 9 out of 50 for recreational. 58% of US states now allow some form of marijuana use.

With majority voting support for medical marijuana in the House and Senate, it's inevitable that a bill will be approved to first decriminalize and then legalize marijuana federally.

THE MARIJUANA EXPORT MIRAGE | GRIZZLE RESEARCH

5

 ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download