Marijuana Legalization and Regulation

The Basics

Voters in Colorado and Washington legalized marijuana for adults in 2012. Legal retail sales started in Colorado in January
2014.

Marijuana should be removed from the criminal justice system and regulated in a
manner similar to alcohol and tobacco.
Legalizing and regulating marijuana will bring the nation's largest cash crop under the
rule of law, creating jobs and economic opportunities in the formal economy instead of
the illicit market. Scarce law enforcement resources that could be better used to protect
public safety would be preserved while reducing corrections and court costs. State and
local governments would acquire significant new sources of tax revenue from regulating
marijuana sales.
The criminalization of marijuana use disproportionately harms young people and people
of color, sponsors massive levels of violence and corruption, and fails to curb youth
access.
Marijuana Product Standardization and Testing
Marijuana product testing is becoming a standard requirement for legalized marijuana
markets. This allows consumers to become better informed about the cannabinoid
profile and potency of marijuana they consume. While universally accepted standards
have not been established for testing, consumers should consider requesting
information on any pesticides, fungicides, fertilizers, or any other residual solvents that
could remain on flowers after the cultivation process.
Testing for mold, fungus, bacteria, and other microbial organisms should be required to
ensure safety and quality, as the effects of consuming some of these chemicals,
especially in the immunocompromised, could be significant. Flowers and other
cannabis products sold to consumers should include cannabinoid profiles, including the
content of THC, CBD and other major cannabinoids, and the number and concentration
of doses in a product. This is especially important for edible products, which can contain
widely varying doses of cannabis. Consumers should be sure to inquire about the
potency and dosage of an edible product, especially if they are a novice consumer or if
the package is not clearly labeled.

Our Commitment to Legalizing Marijuana for Adults

The Drug Policy Alliance advocates marijuana legalization through a well-regulated
market for marijuana production and distribution. We seek to enact change on the state
and federal level through ongoing legislative efforts and through high-profile ballot
initiatives in upcoming election cycles. DPA helped lead the historic campaign in 2010 to
support Proposition 19 in California. In 2012, Colorado and Washington became the
first U.S. states -- and the first political jurisdictions anywhere in the world -- to approve
measures legalizing and regulating marijuana similar to alcohol. DPA worked closely
with local and national allies to draft these initiatives, build coalitions and raise
funds. Similarly, DPA was deeply involved in the campaign to regulate marijuana in
Uruguay, collaborating with local civil society organizations. Uruguay became the first
country to legally regulate marijuana in December 2013.
DPA will play a similar role in upcoming campaign cycles in 2014 and beyond. We are
engaged in building an unprecedented coalition that includes organized labor, civil rights
groups, parents, and law enforcement.
DPA is also working to build support nationwide for ending prohibition by playing a key
role in sparking and sustaining the national dialogue around marijuana legalization, and
serving as a national thought leader for viable alternatives to failed prohibitionist
policies. DPA staff advise elected officials, regulators, and other advocates on available
options and their implications for state and local governments.
We aggressively engage the media to ensure the dissemination of sound, accurate
information about the harms of prohibition and the benefits of viable alternatives.