Background Information
Though widely prohibited since the early twentieth century in the United States, in recent years states such as Illinois, Colorado, Washington, Oregon, and Alaska have decriminalized possession of marijuana for both personal and medical use. Use the following sources to learn more about the the ethical, legal, moral, and logistical aspects of marijuana legalization.
- CQ Researcher This link opens in a new windowProvides overviews on current topics along with bibliographies for further research. Includes pro/con arguments. Other CQ Researcher articles include "Medical Marijuana" and "Marijuana Laws."
- Columbia EncyclopediaAccess via Credo. Contains information on the plant, the drug, its history in the United States, and the legalization question. Includes a bibliography for further reading.
- Encyclopedia of Drugs, Alcohol, and Addictive BehaviorAccess via Gale. Contains an entry on marijuana through a legal and regulatory lens. Includes a bibliography for further reading.
- Crime and Punishment: Essential Primary SourcesAccess via Gale. This is a good source for information on public opinion. It's also packed with links to special interest groups devoted to the issue. Includes a bibliography for further reading.