Americans Warm to Cannabis as Safety, Taxation, and Legal Fights Intensify in 2025

Americans’ Attitudes, Safety Risks, and Legal Battles Define Cannabis Debate in 2025

The national conversation around cannabis is intensifying in 2025. From shifting public perceptions to traffic safety data and political skirmishes over regulation, the stories converging now will likely influence how laws evolve in the coming years. Below is a synthesis of recent developments shaping the cannabis landscape.

Majority of Americans Believe Marijuana Is Healthier Than Alcohol

A recent poll found that 61% of Americans now consider marijuana a healthier option than alcohol, with a strong majority expecting the U.S. to see nationwide legalization within five years. Marijuana Moment Among respondents who’ve used cannabis in the past six months, that rate climbs to 87%. Marijuana Moment

The survey also reveals growing support for reform policies: 62% favor federal legalization, 63% support expunging prior cannabis convictions, and 70% believe legalization can help curb illicit drug trafficking. Marijuana Moment

This shift in public opinion suggests that cannabis is increasingly being framed not as a recreational vice but as part of a health- and wellness-oriented paradigm.

Traffic Fatalities Linked to THC Raise Safety Alarm

In a recent Psychology Today piece, experts examined how THC may factor into car crash fatalities. The article notes that while causation is hard to establish, studies frequently detect THC in drivers involved in deadly collisions. It cautions that impairment tests for cannabis remain underdeveloped compared to alcohol tests, making regulation and enforcement more complicated.

The piece underscores a gap in policy: legalization does not inherently mean safe driving practices. Authorities must invest in better roadside detection tools, public education, and policies that discourage operating vehicles under influence.

San Francisco Sheriff’s Family Ties to Weed Jail Proposal Draw Criticism

In San Francisco, controversy erupted when the sheriff’s brother reportedly pitched a plan to convert local jails into cannabis enforcement centers. This proposal drew wide media attention and scrutiny from civil liberties advocates who worry it could incentivize punitive policing rather than rehabilitation.

Critics argue these moves reflect lingering stigma—despite the trend toward legalization—and show how entrenched enforcement thinking continues to influence local criminal-justice proposals.

North Carolina Senator Asks DOJ to Probe Cherokee Cannabis Operation

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) has petitioned the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate a cannabis operation run on Cherokee tribal land. The operation claims to comply with state medical cannabis laws, but critics argue it is unregulated and potentially violates federal statutes.

The standoff highlights a recurring tension: tribal sovereignty versus federal prohibition, especially in regions where state-level cannabis policies are in flux or undefined. Enforcement decisions by the DOJ could become test cases for how cannabis policy is handled on tribal lands across the country.

Michigan’s New Marijuana Tax Faces Backlash from Industry

Michigan’s recently passed 24% wholesale cannabis tax has drawn serious criticism from cannabis businesses. Advocates warn that the burden may push smaller dispensaries out of business and even shrink state tax revenues. Marijuana Moment

The industry argues that tax rates exceeding 50% when combined with other levies make legal operations uncompetitive against illicit markets. Some groups are already considering legal challenges, pointing to taxpayer mandates requiring greater legislative approval for new taxes.

New York Lawmakers Reach Historic Legalization Deal, Vote Expected Next Week

In New York, lawmakers announced a breakthrough agreement to legalize adult-use cannabis, with a legislative vote expected imminently. Ganjapreneur The proposal would allow home cultivation (up to six plants), set possession limits (three ounces), and facilitate automatic expungement of prior cannabis offenses. Ganjapreneur+1

Under the plan, revenue from cannabis taxes would be allocated to social equity programs, drug treatment, and education—reflecting a model many reform advocates have long supported.

Physicians and the Public Diverge on Cannabis

A new study featured in The Fresh Toast assessed both medical professionals’ and public perceptions of cannabis. It found many physicians remain cautious—citing gaps in clinical research—while public acceptance continues to grow. The divide underscores the tension between patient access and scientific rigor in integrating cannabis into mainstream medicine.

CBD Shows Promise in Wound Healing, but Faces Hurdles

Emerging research suggests CBD may accelerate soft tissue wound healing, highlighting its regenerative potential. Marijuana Moment However, challenges remain: delivering CBD in a form that penetrates tissue, navigating regulatory barriers, and verifying efficacy in human trials. Still, the findings lend more weight to arguments for broader medical use, especially in pain management or recovery contexts.

What These Developments Imply Going Forward