MARIJUANA: LEGALIZE, DE-CRIMINALIZE, OR PROSECUTE?

Several states have taken steps to end or limit prosecution for sale, possession, and/or consumption of marijuana. Because federal law continues to outlaw marijuana, this creates a significant conflict of laws problem. How should it best be resolved? Should marijuana be legalized, should it remain technically illegal but be decriminalized, or should the trend be reversed and drug laws be strictly enforced? This paper examines both the legal issues and the practical experience of other jurisdictions as a basis for a proposed resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]