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Abstract
Legalization advocates cheered as marijuana bills passed by voters in the District of Columbia and Alaska took effect in February. Alaska, D.C. and Oregon were the latest to legalize possession and use of the drug through 2014 ballot initiatives, joining Colorado and Washington, both of which legalized recreational marijuana in 2012. Lawmakers also have proposed measures to mitigate the looming threat of legal action against states that already have laws permitting the use of medicinal marijuana. However, despite growing public support for legalization and emerging research that suggests potential medical benefits, legal conflicts related to drug research, substance abuse and contradictory state and federal laws remain unresolved.