The time is now not to be complacent nor to think that marijuana would somehow become legal.
By Paul Armentano, NORML
70% of Americans, including majorities among Democratic and Republican voters alike, believe that marijuana should only be available to adults. In this year’s legislative session, legislators from both parties have targeted cannabis consumers.
Republican lawmakers in Republican states, such as Montana Nebraska Ohio South Dakota are either trying to repeal, or rollback, voter-approved laws on legalization. California, Maryland Michigan and New Jersey are Democrat led states where lawmakers want to break the existing marijuana legalization markets. They do this by dramatically raising taxes on marijuana.
All elected officials treat cannabis users as targets and not constituents.
The coordinated attacks against state-legal cannabis markets serve as a reminder that, in many cases, the war is still ongoing. Our opponents haven’t gone away; in many cases they’ve simply regrouped and tweaked their strategies–such as by advocating for arbitrary THC potency caps or calling for new criminal penalties for consumers who don’t obtain their cannabis from state-licensed dispensaries.
Opponents of legalization also have become more bold and cynical. Now that the opposition is no longer sure they can gain the support of the public, many are trying to get them out.
Republican lawmakers attempted to repeal South Dakota’s medical marijuana access law in early this year despite the fact that 70 percent voters approved of it. This effort was defeated by just one vote.
Nebraska legislators are considering legislation that will rollback the voter-approved law on medical marijuana. And the Republican Attorney General of Nebraska has asked lawmakers to ignore all election results.
Ohio GOP senators recently passed legislation that would rescind a number of legalization provisions approved in 2023 by the voters. The changes proposed by legislators include restricting home cultivation rights, setting THC limits, and creating a new crime for adult cannabis users who buy cannabis from outside the state or share it with others.
Ken Paxton, the Republican attorney general of Texas, has filed lawsuits against several cities in Texas including Dallas for adopting voter-approved laws decriminalizing possession of marijuana. As a result, local lawmakers in various municipalities–including Lockhart and Bastrop–are ignoring voters’ decisions to rethink their marijuana policies rather than face potential litigation.
🚨 The marijuana consumer is under attack. Legislators across the country have recently introduced several bills that would recriminalize cannabis and take away your rights. https://t.co/1IuYOKFqp0
— NORML (@NORML) March 4, 2025
In Idaho, the state legislature is pushing to amend its constitution so that voters cannot vote on future marijuana legalization ballot measures. The governor has just passed a law imposing mandatory minimum sentences for marijuana possession at low levels.
The attacks against cannabis users aren’t limited to red-states. Many Democratic governors have been pushing for consumers to pay the price of their budget deficits.
Phil Murphy (D) has proposed raising New Jersey marijuana-related taxes nearly fivefold. Phil Murphy (D), a Democrat, has proposed doubling the marijuana taxes in New Jersey. Maryland’s budget plan aims to double the sales tax that consumers pay for retail marijuana. The proposed tax increases will hurt both consumers and state-licensed marijuana businesses if they are implemented.
Many consumers are likely to leave the legal marijuana market as lawmakers artificially raise the price. They will then turn their attentions towards the illegal marketplace. This undermines one of the main goals of legalization.
No matter if you’re in a state that is red, blue, or illegal, or whether cannabis is available in your area, the time has come for cannabis users to assert themselves. Cannabis consumers aren’t criminals, nor are they ATM machines. Cannabis consumers are responsible, hardworking adults. Voting is also part of their lives.
The time is now not to get complacent. Nor is it the time for assuming that marijuana would somehow become legalized. It is only when supporters agitate that change occurs, or when politicians fear the political consequences of not complying with voter demands.
We are the majority of those who are in favor of legalizing cannabis. Now is the time to behave like it. And for legislators to respect cannabis consumers.
Paul Armentano serves as the deputy director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. Take Action Center provides NORML’s comprehensive guide of pending cannabis legislation by state.
Medical Marijuana Provides ‘Significant Improvements’ In Cancer Symptoms, Study Shows
Side Pocket Images. Image courtesy Chris Wallis.