| | Marijuana users consume the drug, whether smoked, vaporized, or in food products, for a feeling of euphoria and relaxation. However, even users widely recognize that marijuana consumption can cause paranoia, as well as compromise the ability to drive a motor vehicle or respond to emergencies. The effects of THC can include short-term memory loss, malaise, psychosis in predisposed individuals, violence and violent fits, as well as impairment of physical and mental functioning. Some researchers claim that cannabis has "medicinal" benefits (see [[Medical marijuana]]); but many scientists contest this, and state that there are numerous federally approved medicines for the diseases that "medicinal" marijuana has been used to treat. | | Marijuana users consume the drug, whether smoked, vaporized, or in food products, for a feeling of euphoria and relaxation. However, even users widely recognize that marijuana consumption can cause paranoia, as well as compromise the ability to drive a motor vehicle or respond to emergencies. The effects of THC can include short-term memory loss, malaise, psychosis in predisposed individuals, violence and violent fits, as well as impairment of physical and mental functioning. Some researchers claim that cannabis has "medicinal" benefits (see [[Medical marijuana]]); but many scientists contest this, and state that there are numerous federally approved medicines for the diseases that "medicinal" marijuana has been used to treat. |
| − | As of early 2018, only one country has legalized recreational use of marijuana, as in 2013 socialist Uruguay legalized the drug. Canada, under Trudeau's Liberal Party, anticipates legalizing marijuana in mid-2018. In the United States, nine states have "legalized" the recreational use of marijuana, and all but three conservative states have either decriminalized marijuana or allow limited medical usage for specific medical conditions. However, due to the Supremacy Clause, federal law, under which marijuana is illegal, overrules those states which have legalized or decriminalized, so their "legalization" is only defacto effective to the degree to which the federal government refrains from enforcing federal law. | + | As of early 2018, only one country has legalized recreational use of marijuana, as in 2013 socialist Uruguay legalized the drug. Canada, under Trudeau's Liberal Party, anticipates legalizing marijuana in mid-2018. In the United States, nine states have "legalized" the recreational use of marijuana: Alaska, California, Colorado, Oregon, Massachusetts, Maine, Nevada, Vermont and Washington, along with Washington D.C., but not all allow sales of marijuana. All but three conservative states have either decriminalized marijuana or allowed limited medical usage for specific medical conditions. However, due to the Supremacy Clause, federal law, under which marijuana is illegal, overrules those states which have legalized or decriminalized, so their "legalization" is only defacto effective to the degree to which the federal government refrains from enforcing federal law. |