Publication date: February 19, 2025
Categories: Education
Cannabis has a long track record—as medicine, as fiber, as fuel for everything from pain relief to parties. And in the last few decades, it’s gone from outlawed to over the counter in a lot of places. So how did we get here? It's been a winding road, full of culture shifts, court cases, grassroots campaigns, and the occasional coffee shop.
Let’s rewind and hit the high points.
From Prohibition to Modernization
Things took a sharp turn in the 20th century, typically not for the better.
By the 1930s, cannabis started showing up in government crosshairs. In the U.S., the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 effectively criminalized it, and the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 cemented its outlaw status, classifying it as a Schedule I drug—supposedly more dangerous than cocaine or meth, with no accepted medical use. That classification still holds today, despite decades of research and advocacy saying otherwise.
While the U.S. dug in, other countries cracked open the door. The Netherlands decriminalized personal cannabis use in 1976, giving rise to the now-famous coffee shop scene in Amsterdam.
Back in the States, things stayed locked down for a while—until California broke the silence in 1996, legalizing medical marijuana through Proposition 215. That moment kicked off a slow-motion domino effect, with cities like San Francisco softening their stance and building momentum from the ground up.
In 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first two U.S. states to legalize cannabis for adult use. That move didn’t just spark up a new industry—it changed the national conversation
Canada, Mexico, and the North American Shift
Canada made headlines in 2018 by fully legalizing cannabis, becoming the first G7 nation to do so. Mexico’s Supreme Court followed a different route, decriminalizing adult use in 2021 and forcing lawmakers to develop new rules.
Both countries reflect a broader shift: legalization isn’t just a counterculture dream anymore—it’s policy. It’s business. And it's gaining traction fast.
The Tri-State Turns Green
In the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut tri-state area, legalization hit in waves.
New Jersey voters said yes to adult-use cannabis in 2020, and legal sales launched in 2022. New York followed with its own law, the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA), in 2021. It was pitched as a progressive blueprint—centered on social equity and small businesses—but the rollout? Let’s just say it was less “well-oiled machine” and more “what’s even happening.”
Outgoing governor Andrew Cuomo pushed it through on his way out the door, and incoming and current governor Kathy Hochul inherited a messy, underbaked system. For a while, NYC was flooded with gray-market dispensaries, and a lot of confusion. However, as of this writing, the ability to obtain legal retail cannabis appears to be stabilizing across the city.
Connecticut joined the movement too, with recreational sales kicking off in early 2023. Taken together, the tri-state is now a serious player on the East Coast—especially for policy, innovation, and economic impact.
Around the World: What’s Next?
Legalization is gaining ground globally. Germany passed legislation in 2024 that partially legalizes adult use. Malta and Luxembourg already have adult-use laws on the books. Uruguay fully legalized cannabis back in 2013. Thailand shocked the world by decriminalizing it in 2022—though recent moves hint at a possible reversal.
In many places, the push isn’t just about personal freedom. Cannabis is a potential economic engine: tourism, jobs, tax revenue, export opportunities. And as more countries invest in medical research, new markets will continue to open up.
You're probably not picking up an eighth with your skincare just yet, but if a luxe, high-THC topical shows up next to retinol creams at Sephora? Don’t act surprised.
