The end of 2015 is drawing near, and it’s time to start reflecting back on the year that was. 2015 was a big year for marijuana, especially in United States.
But also in many other places of the globe, it’s been an amazing year. There have been defeats and victories, with several issues ongoing.
Let’s take a look back at some of the biggest — and perhaps best — moments for marijuana that happened over the last year to prepare ourselves for what’s to come.
#1. TV Characters were higher than ever
At one point on TV, weed was a taboo subject. Now it seems like every other character is hitting a vape when on-screen — and it’s no big deal. From ‘Broad City’ and ‘Workaholics’ on Comedy Central to ‘Wilfred’ on FX and ‘Deadbeat’ on Hulu, popular shows (and their marketing) are fully committed to their characters being full-on stoners with zero subtlety. And it’s awesome!
Plus, while it’s technically a web series, ‘High Maintenance’ on Vimeo is not only proving that stoner content can be highly intelligent, its creators are making innovative strides in the online distribution game.
#2. Jeff Mizanskey was released from prison
Jeff Mizanskey was sentenced to life in prison for non-violent, marijuana-only offenses in Missouri. He had served over two decades of that sentence. But with the help of an awareness campaign led by the Mizanskey family, Jeff eventually became eligible for parole, and was freed in 2015.
#3. Two U.S. Cities Decriminalized Marijuana
While we didn’t see a U.S. state pass medical or recreational marijuana in 2015, we did see two major cities decriminalize marijuana.
On Sep. 15, the city of Toledo passed the Sensible Marihuana Act, with more than 70 percent of the vote. Then, on Dec. 22, the Pittsburgh City Council voted to decriminalize marijuana. Between both cities, nearly 600,000 people are now free from the fear that accompanies an arrest for simple marijuana possession.
The further normalization of marijuana use is also a plus for the legal marijuana industry, even if a brand new market hasn’t opened up quite yet. Come next year, when people realize Toledo and Pittsburgh haven’t burned to the ground, decriminalization could make way for legalization.
#4. Oregon Begun Recreational Marijuana Sales
On Oct. 1, Oregon became the third U.S. state to allow for the sale of recreational marijuana, behind Colorado and Washington. Aside from the obvious, what makes this story so significant is the timeline.
When Colorado and Washington passed recreational marijuana, it took two years to implement. But Oregon started sales months before the application period for recreational licenses had even opened.
The state sped things up through a bill in the legislature that allowed medical marijuana dispensaries to begin selling marijuana recreationally as well. Oregon made a bold move, and it seems to be paying off. If states like California go recreational next year, the Oregon model might resurface.
#5. Canada’s new Prime Minister ordered cannabis to be legalized
In November, Canada’s brand spankin’ new Prime Minister Justin Treudeau (and resident hottie) issued a letter mandating the legalization of marijuana.
Buried in Prime Minister Trudeau’s mandates to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General were these fine words: “Working with the Ministers of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and Health, create a federal-provincial-territorial process that will lead to the legalization and regulation of marijuana.”
#6. Snoop Dogg released a line of cannabis products
2015 was the first time you could (officially) get high and drop it like it’s hot like Snoop. The rapper and weed connoisseur extraordinaire Snoop Dogg launched his own line of marijuana products — Leafs by Snoop — which included hand-selected flower, edibles, and concentrates that could be purchased by the general, non-rapper public. That alone would have made the year an awesome one.
But the cannabis plant material included in Snoop’s line isn’t just any weed, either. The “hand-weighed” bud is available in only the best Doggfather approved strains — think Cali Kush, Northern Lights, and Blueberry Dream, for starters — which you can buy in eighth, quarter and one ounce increments, or wax and shatter, depending on whether you want to turn it up a lot (if you’ve got a living room full of fine dime brizzles), or maybe just a little. didn’t limit it to just actual bud.
#7. Scientists found out many cool scientific stuff about cannabis
- Researchers found out that the runner’s high phenomenon isn’t caused by Endorphins, but your body getting high on its own supply (of endocannabinoids) instead.
- Doctors began using cannabis to help painkiller addicts kick their habits, which is awesome because kicking an addiction to opioids miiiiiight be one of the toughest things on the planet.
- Researchers decided cannabis is “reasonably safe” to treat chronic pain.
- Marijuana use during pregnancy could cancel out some of the effects alcohol use, research showed.
- Marijuana smokers are less likely to deal with metabolic issues, according to research.
