The landscape regarding marijuana use seems to be changing so rapidly that it is difficult to keep up. More than half of the U.S. has now legalized some form of marijuana use. Currently 33 states and the District of Columbia permit the use of marijuana for either medical or recreational purposes, or both. In 10 states as well as D.C., the use of recreational marijuana is lawful. Today, more than 20 percent of all Americans live in a state where recreational use is legal. As of January 1, 2020, Illinois will be joining the list of states that have legalized cannabis use. Moreover, all the major Democratic presidential candidates except Joe Biden support legalizing marijuana. It is possible that the presidential election will completely rewrite the law on marijuana in the U.S.
The majority of Americans have accepted the idea that marijuana use should not be penalized. Not surprisingly, almost two-thirds (2/3) of millennials hold that view. In fact, a recent study found that more than 22 million people in the U.S. used marijuana within the past month. Despite the increase in legalized marijuana, it is still illegal in many states and, more importantly, under federal law. The federal Controlled Substance Act classifies marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug, along with LSD and heroin. Despite the surveys that confirm declining objection to marijuana use, there is not currently great support for its national legalization. It will likely remain an unlawful controlled substance under Federal law for at least the time being. But the climate is changing.