(Newswire.net — November 21, 2016) —Last Tuesday, Arkansas became one of the twenty-eight US states to have legalized medical use of marijuana. Another eight states have adopted laws that allow its recreational use.
But with so many states that allow the use of cannabis, controlling the farming and use of marijuana proved to be difficult, along with the fact that the possession or cultivation of marijuana remains illegal under federal law.
In Arkansas, voters have clearly expressed views that marijuana can have a positive medical effect. But now the country must find a way, as soon as possible, to sell and regulate the marijuana that was illegal only a week ago.
Jake Bleed, an official at the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, said many people are asking questions connected to the marijuana decision.
Medical marijuana is currently used for chronic pain caused by diseases such as glaucoma, Crohn’s disease, nausea due to chemotherapy, HIV and certain neurological disorders.
But even with a loosening of state laws, the federal government continues to stand firmly with the stance that the sale, manufacture and use of marijuana is illegal.
William Asa Hutchinson the Governor of Arkansas said that the Obama administration did not order action against states that made marijuana use legal. He said they did not have to fear federal enforcement powers, although the new laws violate federal measures. But he wonders about the president-elect.
”Will the Trump administration have a different approach? We don’t have the new attorney general yet — what will be their approach?” asked the Governor of Arkansas.
Meanwhile, in states like Texas, where the marijuana is still illegal, supporters are already asking lawmakers to tackle the issue. Veterans, for example, say that cannabis can relieve the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.