Cannabis
Looks Like Virginia Is The Newest Marijuana Nanny State
Some politicians believe the majority of the public are confused or just smart. They feel it is important to step in and change things.
It seems the nanny state is on the rise! Following Florida and Texas, Virginia seems to think their citizens are “confused” about what they want and their highest elected officials need to take care of a populace unable to care for themselves. Singapore, Korea and China are big examples of nanny states, but the trend is become popular in the United States.
RELATED: Americans Are Choosing Marijuana Over Alcohol
A perfect example is around legalized marijuana. According to Pew Research Center, an overwhelming 88% of U.S. adults say either that marijuana should be legal for medical and recreational use by adults (59%) or that it should be legal for medical use only (30%). Only one-in-ten (10%) say marijuana use should not be legal. It has become an almost $30 billion industry and a proven revenue driver for states. Consumer numbers show the stigma is gone. But some states aren’t having it.
A few states feel they are better run by parental figures who know better. These include Florida where over 71% of the public voted for marijuana but the current Governor does everything to block it. Not to be outdone, Texas jumped on the bandwagon. Meanwhile, in a fact based world, the Department of Veterans Affairs changed policy for veterans so they can use medical marijuana without losing their eligibility for care and services. The change was based on science, data and need. Despite the step forward for veterans, it seems now it looks like Virginia is the new newest marijuana nanny state.
In a messy fight, the Old Dominion Governor Glenn Youngkin has made it clear he has no intention of allowing legal marijuana. The tourism slogan is Virginia is for Lovers, but the top elected official is showing any for cannabis, even as some of his allies soften their stance. No doubt there are looking at states like Missouri who are pulling in significant amount of tax revenue.
RELATED: Maine Is Getting It Right About Legal Weed While California And Others Struggle
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott doesn’t care polls reveal a majority of Texans support legalizing marijuana for medical and recreational use. Abbott stated his position has not changed beyond what he’s proposed in the past — reducing the criminal penalty for marijuana possession to a Class C misdemeanor, but not legalizing the drug.
Texas embraces his policies which include going days without power and voters in Houston votes no longer count.