In November 2012, Colorado and Washington voters passed ballot initiatives making their states the first to legalize marijuana for non-medical purposes.
The RAND Corporation hosts a wide-ranging discussion on the public health effects of these new laws and lessons learned from alcohol and tobacco regulations.
On panel one, a former Colorado medical marijuana dispensary owner and health policy professors examined the licensing, production and distribution side of alcohol and tobacco, looking for guidance in formulating a public policy strategy for marijuana.
On panel two, health policy professors as well as economists and behavioral scientists talked about the restrictions on the use, sale and advertising of marijuana, alcohol and tobacco.