Marijuana Legalization in the

United States

Popular demand

Federalism vs. state rights• The legal status of medical marijuana in the United States is

something of a paradox. On one hand, federal government has placed a ban on the drug with no exceptions. On the other hand, over one-third of the states have that legalizes the cultivation, distribution, and consumption of the drug for medical purposes.

Will Congress carve out an exemption from federal enforcement in states that have chosen to legalize the drug? This proposal would exhibit federal respect for state drug policy and reestablish the system of “cooperative federalism”.

Users and state laws

Colorado is unusual• Frontrunner• Not likely to be a short term model for most other states.• Not only did the voters in CO decriminalize the drug – they made an

industry producing the drug legal.• Will the ”for-profit marijuana industry” market the drug to the most

problematic users. • CO as a long term model?• Followed by AL and OR• WA has chosen another model.

Issues• Heavy users are 80% of the market• Rise in daily users is likely• Should it be run by the government or would that bring back a black market• How to tax it? Based on strenght as alchohol?• Effect on other states.• Cost on treatment vs. Savings on law inforcement• Drug tourism• Effect on other drugs