Marijuana Possession In The United States

Although marijuana possession remains a federal crime, twenty-three states plus the District of Colombia have authorized the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Four of the states, Colorado, Washington, Oregon, and Alaska, have taken additional steps of taxing and regulating the manufacture and sale of small amounts of marijuana to anyone over the age of twenty-one.

This changing of marijuana law causes relaxation in the United States, and raises important questions regarding the distribution of power between the state and federal governments. It offers several insights regarding the avenues through which political change can be achieved in the U.S. federal system. Marijuana activity is the only conduct completely prohibited by federal