The new statute allows for anyone 21 years or older regardless of state residence to purchase up to 1.5 ounces of flower, 12 grams of concentrates, or edibles with up to 750 milligrams of THC, the active chemical in the plant. Individuals can also own a maximum of two cannabis plants.Despite the nearly $25 billion in revenue from nationwide recreational marijuana sales in 2023, medical experts continue to warn of the health dangers of excessive marijuana consumption.
"When state governments start making decisions on complex matters of pharmacology and drug safety without consulting or themselves being experts, problems are going to occur," Gortler said. Individuals who were formerly incarcerated for possession charges will now also be eligible for record expungement, and all records for simple possession charges are required to be expunged by July 2024. Those currently incarcerated are eligible for resentencing, including immediate release if this is their only charge.
The American Addiction Centers also highlight that the increasing potency of commercial marijuana “could pose additional, yet-unknown risks” to bodily and cognitive health. AAC reports that the amount of THC in recreational marijuana has increased by over 10% in the past 20 years, the ramifications of which are uncertain to physicians and scientists.