State Legalization of Marijuana as a “Diagonal Federalism” Problem

The Legalization of Marijuana

The movement to legalize marijuana is a war being waged at the ballot box of many states. The movement is sponsored by a small group attempting to dictate changes in laws surrounding the use, as well as the cultivation and distribution of marijuana. Organizations such as NORML (National Organization for Reformed Marijuana Laws); The Lindesmith Center; and, the Drug Policy Group are pushing the ...

A Perspective on Marijuana Legalization

Experimenting with pot: the state of Colorado's legalization of marijuana.

O n November 6, 2012, voters in Colorado and Washington moved to legalize the use and sale of marijuana by adults 21 and older. The passage of Amendment 64, which amended the Colorado constitution, and Initiative 502, which amended the Revised Code of Washington, marked “an electoral first not only for America but the world.”1 In response to the legalization of recreational marijuana, Colorado ...

Has Marijuana Legalization Increased Marijuana Use Among US Youth?

Since 2012, citizens in Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, and Washingtonhave voted to legalize the recreational use ofmarijuana by adults. Advocates of legalization have argued that prohibition wastes scarce law enforcement resourcesbyselectivelyarrestingminorityusers of a drug that has fewer adverse health effects than alcohol.1,2 It would be better, theyargue, to legalize, regulate,andtaxmarijuana, l...

The implications of marijuana legalization in Colorado.