Cannabis reform has gone through some major changes throughout the years. In the year 2015, as many as 23 states and the District of Columbia had legalized marijuana for medicinal use, while four states (Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington) had legalized marijuana for recreational use. The future of Cannabis Law is progressing as more states are looking toward legalizing marijuana for recreational use in 2016. Some of the states pushing for legalization include: California, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Maine. As cannabis laws continue to evolve, you can count on Guardian Data Systems to provide you with quality financial services. Guardian Data Systems can provide guidance as you navigate your way through state and federal compliance.

1. The road to cannabis law reform has been a long one, however progress continues to be made.
Road to Cannabis Law Reform
Legal Changes Through the Years
States that have
legalized cannabis
States that have legalized
medical cannabis
1911 – Massachusetts
is 1st state to ban
cannabis in the U.S.
1970 – Controlled Substances Act (CSA)
is passed – Classifies cannabis as a
schedule I controlled substance, federally
prohibiting cannabis across the U.S.
1973 – Oregon is 1st
state to pass cannabis
decriminalization
legislation
1979 – 1991 – 5 states (Virginia, New Hampshire,
Connecticut, Wisconsin, and Louisiana) enact laws
legalizing medical marijuana with a physician’s pre-
scription; however, CSA federal law prohibits the
prescription of cannabis
1991 – San Francisco
is 1st to pass a city
ordinance in favor of
medicinal cannabis use
1996 – Voters
make California
the 1st state to
legalize medical
cannabis
1998 – Alaska, Oregon,
and Washington voters
legalize cannabis
1999 – Maine
voters legalize
cannabis
2000 – Colorado
and Nevada voters
& Hawaii legislature
legalize cannabis
2004 – Montana voters
and Vermont legislature
legalize cannabis2006 – Rhode Island
legislature legalizes
cannabis
2008 – Michigan voters
legalize cannabis
2010 – Arizona voters, New Jersey legislature,
and D.C. council legalize cannabis
2011 – Delaware legislature legalizes
cannabis; 1st ever cannabis legalization
bill introduced to Congress
2012 – Connecticut
legislature and
Massachusetts voters
legalize cannabis
2015 – Federal Judge rules the Rohrabacher-Farr
amendment prevents DEA and Department of
Justice from pursuing lawful cannabis businesses
2013 – Illinois and New
Hampshire legislatures
legalize cannabis
2015 – 23 states and the District of
Columbia have legalized marijuana for
medicinal use while 4 states (Alaska,
Colorado, Oregon, and Washington) have
legalized marijuana for recreational use
1972 – Shafer Commission recommends
decriminalizing cannabis for personal use
1973 – Oregon is 1st
state to pass cannabis
decriminalization
legislation
2014 – Maryland, Minnesota, and New York legislatures legalize
cannabis; Rohrabacher-Farr amendment to government spending
bill prohibits federal spending penalizing financial institutions
providing services to cannabis businesses in legalized States
States Moving Towards Legalizing
Marijuana for Recreational Use
Will be on the
2016 Ballot
California -
Multiple legalization
initiatives under way
Vermont -
Key state political figures showing
support; legislative hearings on how
to legalize cannabis
Michigan -
Two initiatives, Michigan Cannabis
Coalition and MI Legalize, are
collecting signatures
Maine -
Legalize Maine
campaign well on
the way to collecting
enough signatures to
qualify for the ballot
Rhode Island -
Current legalization
bill under study by
State legislature
Massachusetts -
CRMLA initiative will be on the
ballot in 2016; 2nd looser initiative
may also be on the ballot
Arizona -
Collected over 2/3 signatures supporting the
Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol
(CRMLA) to qualify for the ballot
Nevada -
CRMLA initiative is on
the ballot in 2016
Federal Legalization of Cannabis
Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2015Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act
Submitted to Senate
(S.2237) in November
2015
Proposes to amend the Controlled
Substances Act and outlines the
deregulation of cannabis
Proposes to amend the
Controlled Substances Act
and subject marijuana to the
same regulations as alcohol
Submitted to House of
Representatives (H.R.
1013) in February 2015
Marijuana Businesses Access
to Banking Act of 2015
Introduced to House of Representatives
(H.R. 2076) and Senate (S.1726)
Bill proposes to protect institutions
providing financial services to cannabis-
related businesses
Financial Services and General
Government Appropriations Act,
2016
Submitted to House of Representatives
(H.R. 2995) and Senate (S.1910)
Prohibits use of federal funds made
available by this bill from being used to
penalize institutions providing financial
services in States where cannabis is
legalized
Banking
The Future of Cannabis Law
Cannabis-Friendly Merchant Services
As cannabis laws continue to evolve, Guardian Data Systems is working to provide
cannabis business owners the same financial services that other businesses have
and the sustainable growth of the industry.
Guardian Data Systems provides the expert guidance and consulting services that
your business or financial institution needs to transparently navigate cannabis
financial services while maintaining state and federal compliance including:
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Sources: abovethelaw.com, alternet.org, congress.gov, governing.com, guardiandatasystems.com, norml.org, procon.org, washingtonpost.com
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