Where should the dollar stop? Marijuana became illegal with the passage of the Marijuana Tax Act in 1934. The Marijuana Tax Act required individuals wishing to sell or distribute marijuana to first register with the government and then pay a special tax. These requirements, along with extremely stringent government controls, effectively criminalize the medical or recreational use of marijuana (Schlosser). In 1938, the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act was passed, establishing a class of drugs available by prescription. At the same time, the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was given control over drug safety. In 1941, marijuana was officially removed from the United States Pharmacopeia (ProCon). Since the passage of the Marijuana Tax Act in 1936, and the subsequent reclassification of marijuana, the federal government's position has become increasingly tough. The “War on Drugs” initially declared by US President Richard Nixon in 1971 (Baldwin), accelerated the enactment of the Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984, the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986, and the Anti-Drug Abuse Amendment Act of 1988. which increased federal penalties for marijuana possession. However, since 1996, 14 states, including California, have legalized medical marijuana even though it remains illegal at the federal level for both medical and recreational use. With California Initiative 09-0024 considered for the November 2010 ballot, Californians are once again asked the question: Should marijuana be legal to sell and consume for both medicinal and recreational purposes? (National Briefing) The answer is no; marijuana should not be legalized at the state level. The legalization and regulation of marijuana should be handled at the federal level for medicinal purposes or...... middle of paper ......pName=san61858&version=1.0>.“Drug.” definitely 2. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. Eleventh ed. Springfiled: Merriam -Webster's, Inc., 2008. Print. "History of Marijuana as Medicine: 2737 BC to 2008." ProCon.org. Np, April 13, 2009. Web. March 11, 2010. .“WEST NATIONAL BRIEFING; California: Ballot issue gains support. The New York Times. Np, February 29, 2010. Web. March 11, 2010. .Schlosser, Eric. “Reefer madness. (part 1) (criminalization of marijuana) (Cover Story).” The Atlantic August 1994: 45+. Academic expanded as soon as possible. Network. March 9. 2010. .