Why does the United States legalize marijuana?

Recently, the US Department of Justice officially launched a program to adjust the classification of marijuana control on the public opinion platform "Federal Register", aiming to reduce marijuana from "Class I" to "Class III", which means relaxing marijuana restrictions and reclassifiing marijuana as a safer drug. This is a historic shift in US drug policy.

The US Food and Drug Administration states that the use of marijuana can treat chronic pain, anorexia, nausea, and vomiting, and no safety issues have been found, indicating that the medical use of marijuana is not at high risk In medical clinical practice, marijuana is often used to assist in the treatment of certain terminal illnesses and alleviate some neurological symptoms. This downgrade marks the first federal recognition of the potential medical benefits of marijuana. At present, the Democratic Party led House of Representatives in the United States has passed a bill to legalize marijuana, and it is now awaiting review by the Senate. If passed, it will also have an impact on drug control in other countries around the world.

Biden called for a review of federal marijuana laws in October 2022 and pardoned thousands of people convicted of possessing marijuana by the federal government. He also called on the governor and local leaders to take similar measures to lift the conviction for marijuana, and recently posted a short video on social media, calling the change in federal policy "milestone" and stating that it is an important measure to reverse long-term inequality. He said that too many people's lives have been overturned due to the failure of marijuana, and I am committed to correcting these mistakes.

The American public can provide feedback within 60 days, and the Department of Justice and its subordinate drug enforcement agency will make the final decision for implementation. From various reactions, it seems that this new trend towards marijuana has gained widespread recognition in the United States, and the Republican Party has not raised any objections to the new regulations. However, some people believe that federal government agencies should not change their attitude towards marijuana, as this may lead to harmful side effects, as there are currently not enough cases to support the absolute safety of marijuana.

Data shows that a large number of Americans have used drugs or abused psychotropic substances. The proliferation of drugs has brought about a series of social problems. Multiple factors such as interest groups, bureaucratic system, partisan struggles, and social culture in the United States are intertwined, leading to the escalating drug problem.

So why did the United States legalize marijuana? Using it for medical purposes may just be a facade, but there is actually another plan, one of which is to gain the votes of the people. There are many people in the United States who use marijuana, and this marijuana legalization bill states that marijuana will be removed from the list of controlled substances laws in the United States and criminal penalties for individuals who manufacture, distribute, or own marijuana will be lifted! It is even possible to purchase and sell the criminal punishment previously imposed for marijuana, which is very beneficial for the capital behind marijuana. The US general election requires a lot of funding, and without the support of behind the scenes corporations, a presidential election cannot be completed. As the midterm elections of the Biden administration approach, this measure can garner a large number of votes and funding support.

On the other hand, legalizing marijuana is equivalent to adding a legitimate industry, which will increase many job opportunities. The current economic situation in the United States is not optimistic, and the unemployment rate is also relatively high. Biden can use this method to win the hearts of the people and make the economic and employment data during his tenure look better. Moreover, according to the bill, the United States will impose a 5% sales tax on marijuana and cannabis products, which means it can also provide a substantial amount of revenue for the government's finances. The US government invests countless human, material, and financial resources in drug control every year, which can save a lot of costs. Therefore, the US spares no effort in promoting the legalization of marijuana.