President
Obama was not the only big winner after November’s election—marijuana took
center stage following its legalization in two states. Voters in Washington and Colorado legalized
marijuana for general use, becoming the first states in the U.S. to do so. These
measures are in direct conflict with federal law, which continues to outlaw
marijuana as a dangerous drug under the Controlled Substances Act. The Obama administration has signaled that
federal law enforcement officials will continue to pursue trafficking and other
offenses throughout the U.S.
The Colorado
measure, which passed with 55% of the vote, will let residents 21 years and
older grow and possess up to one ounce of marijuana. The state will also allow marijuana sales at
special stores starting in 2014.
Washington's marijuana law calls for legislators to design from scratch
a homegrown industry for cultivation, processing and retailing sales of
marijuana within state boundaries to people 21 or older. The state liquor-control board will oversee
licensing and inspection.
Connecticut, by
comparison, recently became the 17th state to legalize marijuana for
medical or “palliative” use by patients with
debilitating medical conditions. The
bulk of the law went into effect on October 1, 2012. The Department of Consumer Protection will
regulate the state-licensed distribution
of marijuana, which includes; licensing of producers and dispensaries, registration of
patients, and determination of qualifying medical conditions. Marijuana is also “decriminalized” in
Connecticut, meaning that if caught with a half-ounce or less of marijuana, you
will receive a ticket, and your marijuana will be confiscated. The first offense is a ticket for $150, with
the amount of the fine increasing for each subsequent offense.
