The legal regulation of marijuana is in a state of flux in the United States. During the past dozen or so years, 18 states and the District of Columbia have passed measures permitting the use of marijuana for medical purposes. In the fall of 2012, two states Colorado and Washington went a step further and decriminalized entirely possession of less than an ounce of the drug. However, under federal law, marijuana remains a Schedule I narcotic; its manufacture and sale remain punishable by up to life in prison.
The contradictory legal status of marijuana in these states makes it difficult for individuals and businesses to conform their behavior to the law. It also creates particular legal and ethical quandaries for lawyers. Because growing and selling marijuana are serious violations of federal law, an attorney engaged by a marijuana business is necessarily putting herself at risk.
This content has been archived. It is available through our partners, LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law.
To view this content, please continue to their sites.
Not a Lexis Subscriber?
Subscribe Now
Not a Bloomberg Law Subscriber?
Subscribe Now
LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law are third party online distributors of the broad collection of current and archived versions of ALM's legal news publications. LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law customers are able to access and use ALM's content, including content from the National Law Journal, The American Lawyer, Legaltech News, The New York Law Journal, and Corporate Counsel, as well as other sources of legal information.
For questions call 1-877-256-2472 or contact us at [email protected]
