ABSTRACT
The status of “legalized” marijuana is complicated in the United States. The federal government may prohibit all marijuana conduct but it cannot prevent the states from legalizing and regulating the substance. Considering the federal prohibition, marijuana law reform states can do nothing to protect their citizens from the federal criminal and civil enforcement; and, states are hampered in their endeavors to experiment with marijuana law reform. While the unstable status quo cannot endure, any solution must require cooperation between the state and federal governments to determine the appropriate role for each in this area.
