The recent legalization of recreational marijuana in Ohio marked a significant shift in the United States where now over half the population has access to legal adult-use cannabis in addition to the nearly 80% of the country where medical marijuana is legal.
Growing public support for cannabis, confirmed in a recent Gallup poll, was exemplified in Ohio in a bipartisan expression among citizens. Its GOP leadership is another story.
In addition to regular Americans, the expanding list of lawmakers speaking out for cannabis reform includes Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) who sent a letter to DEA Administrator Anne Milgram last week suggesting the agency act with “great urgency” to reschedule marijuana. The request was in line with a recommendation in late August from the Department of Health and Human Services to reschedule cannabis.
Federal Efforts Lag Far Behind US States In Cannabis Reform
Despite these changes at the state level, they do not as yet extend to the nearly three million federal employees across the nation who are prohibited from using marijuana due …