NEW YORK, July 1, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — The movement for cannabis legalization began back in the 1990s when California became the first U.S. state to legalize medical cannabis. Subsequently, several other states began to legalize cannabis for medicinal purposes throughout the decade. And while the 1990s did pave the way for the birth of the legal cannabis industry, recent years have seen the market begin its growth in earnest.

Uruguay Legalized Recreational Marijuana in 2013

First, in December of 2013, former Uruguay President Jose Mujica legalized recreational cannabis. Shortly after, U.S. states Colorado and Washington legalized adult-use cannabis in 2014, becoming the first two states to allow legal adult-use. Throughout the next several years, more countries continued to adopt medicinal cannabis legislation.

Canada Legalized Recreational Marijuana in 2018

Meanwhile, the U.S. was seeing more states adopt recreational cannabis, and in 2018 Canada became the second nation to fully legalize cannabis. Moreover Canada is the only G-7 nation to completely legalize cannabis, even though the remaining G-7 powers have adopted a full or partial medical cannabis legislation like Japan.

Predominantly, the therapeutic aspects of the cannabis plant are why many nations have decided to legalize its medical use. On the other hand, some countries have moved to legalize cannabis as an economic growth driver or to suppress the damage caused by the war on drugs. Germany, Uruguay and Mexico Legalized Cannabis to Reduce Drug Crimes﻿

Germany, Uruguay and Mexico Legalized Cannabis to Reduce Drug Crimes

For instance, Germany recently approved legislation for medical cannabis in 2017 for seriously ill patients as the German government is trying to reduce the number of patients dependent on narcotics. Meanwhile, Uruguay moved to legalize cannabis to reduce the war on drug crimes.



Similarly, Mexico’s President-elect party wants to legalize cannabis as well and Senator Olga Sánchez Cordero, interior Secretary selected by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, said that illegal cannabis is causing violent drug wars and poverty.

While each nation has their own individual reasons to adopt cannabis, they are all collectively working together towards eliminating the stereotype revolving around the plant.

Worldwide Consumer Spending Projections

According to data compiled by ArcView Market Research and BDS Analytics, worldwide consumer spending on legal cannabis was estimated to be approximately