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The last 10 years has seen a wave of changing attitudes towards cannabis. From a hated, filthy “weed” to being hailed as the world’s best natural medicine, it’s high time we finally gave this plant its due credit. With that being said, along with a terrible pun, let’s take a look at some of the most recent changes in current cannabis legislation.

The Commonwealth of Virginia has become the most recent state to legalize cannabis, not just for medical use but for recreational use as well. What’s unusual about Virginia however, is it is the first state in the proverbial south to do so. As it stands, 18 states have legalized adult use of cannabis and 37 states allow medical use. Unfortunately, cannabis still remains illegal at the federal level, but congressional representatives have expressed an interest in advancing a bill at the national level. There currently is one bill on the floor and comments are being accepted until September.

Closer to home, things are looking brighter than ever in recent years. Both a bill for recreational use and a bill for medicinal use are making their way through the NC Congress. HB619 and HB711 allow for the recreational use and medicinal use of cannabis respectively. HB711 seems to be the one far more favored for now and has already received a resounding response in comity.

Even more recent still, in just the past few weeks, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians have voted to allow for medicinal cannabis on their tribal land, known formally as the Qualla Boundary. The new law will allow for the use and personal grow by adults with the proper doctor’s approval. Even non-tribal members will be able to buy on tribal land with appropriate medical identification.

Cannabis is finally garnering the attention it deserves. Not as a dirty weed only used by the aimless, but seen for what it really is, a powerful tool for healing. Sooner than later the old thoughts and ideas will finally be buried and swept beneath the rug and cannabis will be allowed to shine. Once it is rescheduled on the Controlled Substances Act and downgraded from a Class 1, it will finally be able to be studied and researched to its fullest extent.