Beautiful Virgin Islands

Wednesday, Aug 27, 2025

US states legalise marijuana as post-pandemic economic booster

US states legalise marijuana as post-pandemic economic booster

At least 5 more US states have recently legalised recreational marijuana use, which means 30% of the country allows its adult residents to possess and use cannabis.

According to an April 8, 2021, report from ABC News, with two more states poised to be added to that list following the passage of cannabis legalisation bills this year, many of the areas such as New York have touted the economic powers of marijuana as economies grapple with the effects of COVID-19.

Cuomo changes position


When New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed the state bill to legalise marijuana last week, he said an estimated $350 million in annual tax revenues would be realised and said it would "right the wrongs of the past by putting an end to harsh prison sentences."

Some four years ago, Cuomo's argument was that he opposed legalising marijuana, calling it "a gateway drug."

However, many of the US states have had their laws pushed forward as arguments from elected officials and voters that centered around perceived dangers of marijuana substance abuse or a rise in criminal activities have quelled.

Increasingly, evidence is showing that there are economic, social and health benefits from a state-regulated cannabis industry, according to Mason Marks, a law professor at Gonzaga University and a fellow-in-residence at Harvard Law School's Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology, and Bioethics.

When New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed the state bill to legalize marijuana last week, he said an estimated $350 million in annual tax revenues that the bill would bring and said it would 'right the wrongs of the past by putting an end to harsh prison sentences.'


Marijuana does not result in bad consequences - Steven Hawkins


Executive Director of the nonprofit advocacy group the Marijuana Policy Project, Mr Steven Hawkins, told ABC News he believes the near-decade of legalised marijuana in the country has shown people that decriminalising and regulating marijuana doesn't result in bad consequences for communities.

However, despite the global trends with regards to the legalisation of marijuana, the Cannabis Legislation passed through the VI's House of Assembly (HoA) remains in limbo at the hands of the UK.

Although the 'Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Act, 2020' was passed with amendments since June 30, 2020, the bill is yet to become law until it is assented to by the UK-appointed Governor of the Virgin Islands (VI).

This is even as the UK continues to benefit from the medical marijuana industry.

The VI 'Medicinal Cannabis Licensing ACT, 2020' paves the way for the territory to establish its own medicinal marijuana industry, through the cultivation of special strains of cannabis on local farmlands, by local marijuana farmers.


UK holding up VI bill


While the US has legalised the recreational use of the plant, the VI 'Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Act, 2020' essentially paves the way for the Territory to establish its own medicinal marijuana industry through the cultivation of special strains of cannabis on local farmlands by local marijuana farmers.

Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) had said that the bill, along with creating a new industry, will provide employment opportunities for the people of the VI and new revenue streams; however, the potentials are yet to be realised by the VI as a result of the UK holdup.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Manhunt in Australia: Armed Anti-Government Suspect Kills Police Officers Sent to Arrest Him
China Launches World’s Most Powerful Neutrino Detector
How Beijing-Linked Networks Shape Elections in New York City
Ukrainian Refugee Iryna Zarutska Fled War To US, Stabbed To Death
Elon Musk Sues Apple and OpenAI Over Alleged App Store Monopoly
2 Australian Police Shot Dead In Encounter In Rural Victoria State
Vietnam Evacuates Hundreds of Thousands as Typhoon Kajiki Strikes; China’s Sanya Shuts Down
UK Government Delays Decision on China’s Proposed London Embassy Amid Concerns Over Redacted Plans
A 150-Year Tradition to Be Abolished? Uproar Over the Popular Central Park Attraction
A new faith called Robotheism claims artificial intelligence isn’t just smart but actually God itself
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner Purchases Third Property Amid Housing Tax Reforms Debate
HSBC Switzerland Ends Relationships with Over 1,000 Clients from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Qatar, and Egypt
Sharia Law Made Legally Binding in Austria Despite Warnings Over 'Incompatible' Values
Italian Facebook Group Sharing Intimate Images Without Consent Shut Down Amid Police Investigation
Dutch Foreign Minister Resigns Amid Deadlock Over Israel Sanctions
Trump and Allies Send Messages of Support to Ukraine on Independence Day Amid Ongoing Conflict
China Reels as Telegram Chat Group Shares Hidden-Camera Footage of Women and Children
Sam Nicoresti becomes first transgender comedian to win Edinburgh Comedy Award
Builders uncover historic human remains in Lancashire house renovation
Australia Wants to Tax Your Empty Bedrooms
MotoGP Cameraman Narrowly Avoids Pedro Acosta Crash at Hungarian Grand Prix
FBI Investigates John Bolton Over Classified Documents in High-Profile Raids
Report reveals OpenAI pitched national ChatGPT Plus subscription to UK ministers
Labour set to freeze income tax thresholds in long-term 'stealth' tax raid
Coca‑Cola explores sale of Costa coffee chain
Trial hears dog walker was chased and fatally stabbed by trio
Restaurateur resigns from government hospitality council over tax criticism
Spanish City funfair shut after serious ride injury
Suspected arson at Ilford restaurant leaves three in critical condition
Tottenham beat Manchester City to go top of Premier League
Bank holiday heatwave to hit 30°C before remnants of Hurricane Erin arrive
UK to deploy immigration advisers to West Africa to block fake visas
Nurse who raped woman continued working for a year despite police alert
Drought forces closures of England’s canal routes, canceling boat holidays
Sweet tooth scents: food-inspired perfumes surge as weight-loss drugs suppress appetites
Experts warn Britain dangerously reliant on imported food
Family of Notting Hill Carnival murder victim call event unmanageable
Bunkers, Billions and Apocalypse: The Secret Compounds of Zuckerberg and the Tech Giants
Ukraine Declares De Facto War on Hungary and Slovakia with Terror Drone Strikes on Their Gas Lifeline
Animated K-pop Musical ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Becomes Netflix’s Most-Watched Original Animated Film
New York Appeals Court Voids Nearly $500 Million Civil Fraud Penalty Against Trump While Upholding Fraud Liability
Elon Musk tweeted, “Europe is dying”
Far-Right Activist Convicted of Incitement Changes Gender and Demands: "Send Me to a Women’s Prison" | The Storm in Germany
Hungary Criticizes Ukraine: "Violating Our Sovereignty"
Will this be the first country to return to negative interest rates?
Child-free hotels spark controversy
North Korea is where this 95-year-old wants to die. South Korea won’t let him go. Is this our ally or a human rights enemy?
Hong Kong Launches Regulatory Regime and Trials for HKD-Backed Stablecoins
China rehearses September 3 Victory Day parade as imagery points to ‘loyal wingman’ FH-97 family presence
Trump Called Viktor Orbán: "Why Are You Using the Veto"
×