It is growing ever more clear that the days of weed prohibition are numbered, as societal acceptance of the drug continues to grow. While still technically illegal, the public's use of the substance will make legalization inevitable. Cannabis is also a drug generally less harmful than alcohol or tobacco, which makes legal weed a public health victory as well. It is time to finally end the war on weed and bring policy in line with the public desire for legalization.
It is no cause for celebration that the most problematic form of cannabis use has exploded. The US is heading into unchartered territory as legal cannabis proliferates nationwide, and the drug's relation to psychosis, youth mental health, and addiction is still unclear. Daily use is a huge risk factor for schizophrenia, with millions of Americans being said to have marijuana use disorder. We need far more research before we proceed with expanding access to this drug.
There is an 80% chance that cannabis will be removed from Schedule I of the Controlled Substance Act before 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
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