As the world continues to move through the pandemic, the cannabis industry is beginning to show signs of growth and promise for 2021. In the past few weeks, Joe Biden has vowed to extend pardons and commuting sentences for those arrested for using and possessing cannabis. Meanwhile, the latest state sales figures are revealing that Maryland is exceeding expectations due to its new medical cannabis program. This is just the latest news about the benefits of legal cannabis, and it’s all evidence of a rapidly growing industry.
President Biden, in his first days in office, proclaimed his intention to grant pardons and commutations to those affected by the war on drugs, specifically to those previously convicted of possessing and using cannabis. As a result, hundreds of people will be released prematurely from prison, paving the way for new opportunities for those serving excessive sentences. This move is a direct result of the changing sentiment on cannabis and the importance of criminal justice reform.
Maryland is proving to be one of the most successful states in terms of cannabis sales, greatly surpassing expectations with its new medical marijuana program. In the first month, more than $19.3 million in sales were reported. This number is expected to grow as more and more people become comfortable with the system. Furthermore, due to the massive success of the program, the state government is expecting a huge boost in tax revenue to benefit health and education initiatives.
As both state and federal governments move to embrace the cannabis industry, the outlook for the coming year is favorable. Biden’s decision to provide pardons for those previously convicted of cannabis related offenses, as well as the massive success of the new medical marijuana program in Maryland, are both signs of a rapidly growing industry. In the coming months, we can expect to see more growth in state-level programs, as well as further progress towards a nationwide solution.