If the subject of marijuana's legal status confuses you, there's a good reason for that.

Federal, state, and local governments each have their own laws about cannabis in the first place. Then, when you add in the difference between recreational and medicinal weed, the topic gets even muddier.

By breaking it down into 'just the facts,' it's easier to understand what's legal and what's not. We'll shed some light on the marijuana movement for you with these three truths!

1. The Majority of America is Pro-Weed

Now that scientists can legally perform research using cannabis, it's becoming clearer about what the plant can do. With so much evidence that marijuana can be used for health purposes, the overwhelming view on legalizing weed is positive.

As of April 2021, 9 out of 10 Americans support the movement toward making marijuana legal. Some people only want it available for medicinal use, while others are pro-recreational weed, too. These kinds of numbers show that it's only a matter of time before cannabis is legal, to some degree, everywhere.

Currently, there's a big push for softer penalties in the areas where cannabis isn't legal. At the federal level, laws are in the process of being reformed. Marijuana isn't the scary drug it's been made out to be all these years, and our government is taking steps to correct this mistaken viewpoint.

2. Marijuana Can Be Taxed Once It's Legal

The vast majority of arguments in support of cannabis legalization revolve around taxes.

When consumers buy cannabis, either from a dispensary or other source, the product can be taxed. Ultimately, the revenue for state governments could be billions of dollars in much-needed tax money.

Medicinal vs. Recreational Taxes

However, there are two main differences in the tax status. Medicinal weed is usually subject to local general sales tax and, in some states, a specific tax on medical marijuana.

Recreational weed, on the other hand, falls under the 'things not good for you' category. Most of these products are unhealthy. As a method of trying to dissuade consumers from buying them, the items are subject to excise taxes in addition to the other taxes.

Excise taxes can be as low as 50 cents or less per unit, to as much as $6.00 each. If people are willing to pay the hefty cost of getting their cannabis fix, the government is rewarded lucratively. But it loses this revenue by keeping recreational marijuana illegal.

3. Legalizing Marijuana Helps Us Learn More About It

Now that the federal government isn't actively prohibiting marijuana research, we've learned so much about what this plant is capable of. However, scientists are just scratching the surface.

Studies are currently evaluating the effect of THC and CBD on patients with cancer, HIV, and Crohn's Disease. An FDA-approved drug with cannabis in it can help people with seizures reduce their symptoms.

Cannabis and Your Thyroid

But more recently, cannabinoids have been linked with improved thyroid issues, too. Thyroid conditions are an endocrine-related issue, and cannabis naturally targets the endocrine system.

Since cannabinoids are anti-inflammatories, thyroid inflammation is lowered. Thyroid diseases are usually related to a hormone imbalance, which is also treated with cannabis. The cannabinoids help put your body back into a state of homeostasis, which levels out your hormones.

However, there are hundreds of strains of cannabis. If you want to see if marijuana can help you, make sure you're using the strains that are best for your specific thyroid condition.

As research continues to expand, scientists expect to find new ways that cannabis can help medicinally.

From improving the immune system in general to treating terminal diseases, this plant is a potential powerhouse drug. But if it was still classified as illegal, we'd lose out on all of its incredible possibilities.

Conclusion

As the majority of the country turns pro-marijuana, we're only just beginning to see its impact. Big and small businesses, individuals with serious health conditions, and those with mental disorders like anxiety are all being affected.

The butterfly effect of things like increased tax revenue and better health treatment options is going to touch everyone in some way. Legalizing cannabis is the first step. We're living in a movement that is history in the making; one that will leave its mark on future generations.