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Although there is enough evidence on the potential benefits of marijuana on health, there are several justifiable reasons why its use should be assessed in a legal context. Does the decision at hand benefit a single patient or the law of the land? The legality or suitability of marijuana in society is a subject that is often met with mixed reactions.
The legal concerns surrounding the use of marijuana on the society often overshadow science in debates on marijuana’s worth as medicine. However, this write-up does not intend to address every detail or provide some legal advice, which can be sought from a lawyer. The main aim here is to give you a simple overview concerning the legality of marijuana, which is currently legal in all 50 states, as a medicine.
Legislation on Marijuana
Long before marijuana was added into the list of banned substances, it was a part of folk medicine in different cultures. A good number of states hand banned marijuana by the 1920s. Although some jurisdictions still allowed the use of medical marijuana, the bureaucracies involved were a deterrent.
It is worth noting that marijuana legislation has changed considerably in the last couple of decades. And from the look of things, things are just getting started. This observation is particularly true at the state level, where the laws and local enforcement practices keep varying. While this article shares some insights about some medical uses or benefits of marijuana, it is not meant to endorse this practice.
Medical Uses of Marijuana
Marijuana at present times is used for medical reasons, with some reasons becoming strong enough to maintain its status as a therapeutic agent. Cannabis’ ability to help patients cope or manage specific ailments for a long time been provided as part of the medical necessity defense. This defense means that patients with the following diseases can use marijuana to avoid more significant harm.
- Nausea from cancer treatment
- Depression and anxiety
- Seizure Disorders
- Nerve pains
Medical uses of marijuana and the increasing number of certain medical conditions such as cancer have made legislatures rethink their decision to ban marijuana. With medical marijuana allowed by most jurisdictions, everyone needs to understand the legal position held as far as the use of marijuana is concerned.
The use of CBD is not a new thing to many, at least as much as it was in the past. Previously a grey area in most jurisdictions, the use of CBD products or medical marijuana is now accepted in most jurisdictions. This makes places that have CBD for sale near me more than they were in the past. But its legalizations in most states does not mean that it can be used at will; there are still several laws that define how it can be used, and who is legally allowed to use these products.
The Legality of CBD Depends on Its Source
CBD based products can be extracted from marijuana or hemp, which are known to be members of the marijuana family. In light of this fact, plants with less than 0.3% of THC are classified as hemp, while those with more than 0.3% are classified as marijuana.
Marijuana plants are known to have a significantly lower concentrations of CBD than hemp plants. This explains why most CBD-based products are extracted from hemp plants and not marijuana. Also, considering that marijuana has higher levels of THC, it’s not the ideal ingredient for CBD products since it requires some extracting of THC.
It should be clear to you why the legality of CBD is dependent on the source at this point. If your CBD comes from the hemp plant, it is legal. For marijuana-based CBD, it is only permitted if your country or state has legalized marijuana.
Classification of States Based on the Legality of CBD
It is a known fact the legality of CBD varies. Here is a classification of states based on the legalization or availability of CBD based products.
Friendliest States
These states are mainly those that have virtually no restrictions about the use of CBD. As a result, retailers in these jurisdictions have specific laws that allow retailers to sell hemp-based products.
Friendly States
Friendly states are known to allow the use of CBD. The production, manufacture, and use of CBD is detached from the definition of marijuana.
Grey Area States
Jurisdictions classified as grey area states as far as the use of CBD is concerned do not have a defined stance on the use or production of CBD. However, these states do not have an absolute prohibition against the sale of hemp-based products. They also have exceptions in their laws showing that CBD products are legal.
States with Concerns
These are states that have no explicit against the use of CBD products. However, recent actions from law enforcement agencies in these states show that there is some risk attached to the use of CBD products.
Almost everyone has received legal advice from a friend, a relative, or the internet that came with total confidence and zero credentials. It usually starts with, “I’m not a lawyer, but…” and ends with you believing you’re protected by some secret loophole. Unfortunately, the law doesn’t work on vibes or common sense. Some of the most widely repeated legal “facts” are not only wrong, but potentially expensive if you rely on them.
“If It’s on the Internet, It Must Be Legal”
There’s a common belief that anything publicly available online is fair game to use however you want. Photos, videos, articles, and even music clips often fall under copyright, regardless of how easy they are to access. Just because you can download or repost something doesn’t mean you’re allowed to. Copyright law cares about ownership, not convenience, and assuming otherwise can land people in serious trouble.
“I Didn’t Know the Law, So I’m Not Responsible”
Ignorance feels like it should count for something, but legally, it usually doesn’t. Not knowing a law exists rarely protects you from consequences. The legal system assumes people are responsible for understanding the rules that apply to them, even if those rules are complicated or poorly explained. It’s frustrating, but “I didn’t know” is rarely the winning argument people hope it will be.
“Verbal Agreements Don’t Count”
This one sounds logical, especially in a world obsessed with paperwork and signatures. In reality, many verbal agreements can be legally binding. The problem isn’t whether they’re valid—it’s whether they’re provable. Without documentation, disputes often turn into one person’s word against another’s. Verbal contracts can be real, but they’re also risky, which is why written agreements exist in the first place.
“If They Didn’t Read It, It Doesn’t Apply”
People love to believe that not reading a contract somehow weakens it. Unfortunately, signing something usually means you agreed to it, whether you read every word or not. Courts generally don’t accept “I didn’t read it” as a defense. Fine print may be annoying, but ignoring it doesn’t make it disappear. The responsibility is on the signer, not the document.
“If It’s Fair, the Law Will Side With Me”
Fairness and legality are not the same thing, and this is one of the hardest truths for people to accept. The law doesn’t always align with what feels morally right. Someone can behave unfairly and still act within their legal rights. Relying on what “should” happen instead of what the law actually says often leads to disappointment and bad outcomes.
“I Can Handle This Without a Lawyer”
There’s a strong temptation to handle legal issues solo, especially to save money. While some situations truly are simple, many people underestimate how complex legal processes can be. One missed deadline or poorly worded statement can cause long-term damage. Lawyers aren’t just for courtrooms—they’re there to prevent small problems from becoming big ones.
Bad legal advice often spreads because it sounds reasonable, confident, and reassuring. The problem is that the law doesn’t reward assumptions or shortcuts. While this isn’t legal advice itself, the safest takeaway is simple: be skeptical of anything that sounds like a universal legal rule. When real consequences are on the line, checking the facts—or talking to an actual professional—can save you far more than it costs.