Marijuana, even medical marijuana, is still contraband under federal law and its distribution is illegal everywhere. As state laws permitting the use and distribution of marijuana—medical or recreational—are enacted, many entrepreneurs see an opportunity to be part of this “budding” industry. But because marijuana distribution, even intrastate, remains categorically illegal under federal law, federal authorities may seek to prosecute marijuana distributors, those who aid such distribution and those who launder the proceeds from that distribution, among others. No one considering operating in the marijuana industry should be misled by recent guidance from the federal government and actions by Congress given that neither, thus far, has decriminalized or immunized marijuana-related activity.
