Confused About Pot? So's the Law
The U.S. needs more coherent marijuana policies, but only changes in legislation can bring them about.
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Federal law makes it a crime to grow, sell or possess cannabis. New state laws in Colorado and Washington state permit those activities, and officials there are issuing licenses to local companies to commit what remain federal felonies.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced in August that it would give a low priority to enforcement efforts against state-licensed growers and sellers in states with "strong and vigorous" regulations, except where they involve other activities such as violence or interstate sales.