Health and law enforcement officials are working to figure out how to regulate medical marijuana in light of the federal decision not to prosecute legal users or providers, reports the New York Times. In New Hampshire, where some legislators are considering a medical pot law, there is concern that the health department could be hard-pressed to administer the system. In California, where there has been an explosion of medical marijuana suppliers, some cities may require medical dispensaries to operate as nonprofit organizations.
Some experts say the Justice Department decision will promote the spread of marijuana for medical uses because local and state officials often take leadership cues from federal policy. That could lead to more liberal rules in states that already have medical marijuana and to more voters and legislators in other states becoming comfortable with the idea of allowing it.