Since then, twelve more states have followed suit. In 2012, the next step was taken. In this year, marijuana was legalized in the Colorado State Constitution for recreational purposes in Colorado. This state was the first to carve the pathway for many other states to follow. As of 2016, eight other states have legalized marijuana for recreational purposes. This has caused problems because according to federal law, marijuana is illegal for all purposes (DEA Position 1). According to federal law, marijuana is not a legal substance. It is classified as a Schedule I drug according to the Drug Enforcement Administration, also known as the DEA. This means that “marijuana has a high potential for abuse, has no accepted medicinal value in treatment in the United States” (DEA 1). With this organization’s extensive tests, they have assessed the pros and cons of both sides of the argument.