Laws vary when it comes to how much of the drug can be possessed. Advertising laws also differ. Nevada’s tax department has to approve any marijuana ad. Most allow counties to ban sales, while some allow and some don’t allow delivery of marijuana products. States that have legalized marijuana also have different penalties for consuming the drug in public places.

Karen O’Keefe, director of state policies at the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, D.C., which favors marijuana legalization efforts, said she believes Vermont will legalize retail sales next year.

In New Jersey, where legalization efforts failed recently, lawmakers are looking to let voters decide in a referendum. The same route may be taken in Connecticut.

Taking smaller steps “helps with some issues but doesn’t help with getting to the heart of prohibition," O’Keefe said. “I certainly advise to go ahead and legalize and regulate so you can control sales, who sells (what’s) sold so that cannabis is not painted with pesticides. All of those measures you’re not going to address with half measures."

Are there compromises available?