The Legalization of Marijuana in America

I have chosen the legalization of marijuana in the United States.  This includes decriminalization, legalizing for medical use, and complete legalization.  There are several states that are still criminalized as well. This is an on going debate in the United States, especial since Colorado and Washington legalized marijuana in 2012 for recreational use.  California took the plunge in 1996 legalizing marijuana for medicinal use.  This is something that can be mapped across the United States and can also be spanned from the beginning of the United States, hemp paper is what the Declaration of Independence was written on, up until now when two more states legalized marijuana for recreational use.  This plant has been used for more than just getting high.  This plant can be used for many positive things such as, paper, textiles, helping to slow cancer cells, and many more.  So I plan to do a history of why it was criminalized and why now it is getting legalized.  I will be choosing several states to focus on and reasons each one has for their marijuana laws.  It will be mapped  across the United States going from coast to coast and I have not decided on the time frame yet because it has deep roots in our country; however, it will at least be from 1996 until present.