“The decriminalization of marijuana in New York is just the latest example of the newly-minted legislature’s penchant for ignoring federal law in the name of criminal justice reform. By taking half-steps to legalizing marijuana, we put local and state law enforcement in conflict with federal laws, just like the new law allowing driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants. Decriminalization also sends the wrong message to our children, implying there is no potential harm in using marijuana. We should not sidestep federal law, and we should take more time to study the long-term impacts.”