00_iyc_tjd_hc_summit_800px.jpg. Share this article. Good intentions do not guarantee good regulations. Unintended consequences often eclipse the improvements a rule aims to make, ultimately causing more harm than good.
The state's voters legalized medical marijuana in 1998. Prior to Tuesday's vote, 23 states and the District of Columbia had legalized marijuana for medical purposes, while Colorado and Washington were the only states to allow recreational marijuana use.
Marijuana is legal in three U.S. states for recreational use: Alaska, Colorado, and Washington. Medical marijuana is approved in over 20 U.S. states. But regardless of its legality, it is important to remember that marijuana carries with it certain medical risks. Know the risks before you decide to use it or not.