Keynote: Professor Richard J. Bonnie Professor Richard Bonnie co-authored The Marijuana Conviction in 1972, while associate director of a commission appointed by President Richard Nixon. The commission recommended decriminalizing marijuana use, but also rejected the idea of legalization, because of concerns about the consequences to public health. When President Reagan’s administration adopted a “zero tolerance” policy towards marijuana laws, a costly and time consuming war on drugs began. Now, in 2015, some states have chosen to legalize marijuana, while others remain intolerant of use and possession. The concerns facing the commission in 1972 are back, as well as complications that arise from legalization. Professor Bonnie will speak about his experience working on the commission, why marijuana regulation collapsed and what the future holds.