State governments are working to draft legislation regulating the medical use of marijuana after the federal government announced that it would no longer prosecute users or providers of legal marijuana.
Legal marijuana can be defined as that which is prescribed for medical purposes such as pain relief. However, the line between medical and recreational use can be hard to draw.
If the federal government will only prosecute users based on vague state laws, then recreational users could take advantage of the legal vacuum, The New York Times reported.
Virginia Gray, political science professor at UNC, said it was important for states to draft legislation that would clarify the difference between medical and recreational use of marijuana.
"If the laws are vague [state governments] need to get some teeth in them and make them clear. In California they've had this for a long time and they've got it well worked out. States need to work it out so doctors and patients aren't arrested," she said.
Gray said that the states need to take action to fill the legal void or the federal government will, once again, step back in to do it.
What You're Saying:
"In general it's probably not a bad idea, doctors do tend to recommend it." - Valerie Mooney, senior, biology major, Asheville.
"I'm in the middle. I do think that there are laws against drugs that are a little strict. It could get out of control." - Shenee Johnson, senior, psychology, Fayetteville.
"It's good because it benefits the health of many Americans because it gives them access to a drug that is capable of improving their health and well being." - Ben Decker, sophomore, undecided, Winston-Salem.
To get the day's news and headlines in your inbox each morning, sign up for our email newsletters.
