Is marijuana legal at the federal level?

On a federal level, all marijuana remains illegal. The federal government classifies marijuana, along with heroin and cocaine, as a Schedule I drug with a high potential for abuse and little to no medical benefit.

As a result of the conflict between federal and state law, residents in some states can find themselves using marijuana for medical purposes in compliance with state law, while simultaneously violating federal law. This article discusses some of the complications that arise when state and federal medical marijuana laws conflict.