It is incumbent on CPS to develop clear protocols that identify when intervention will occur when parents legally use marijuana. The current situation raises fundamental, long-standing issues in child welfare pertaining to the assessment of risk of harm parents pose to their children. Marijuana use will need to be placed in context with parental, familial, and child functioning, as well as other risk and protective factors. A proactive response to the legalization of marijuana suggests that agencies should update or revise their policies, reporting laws, and staff training to best serve families with a parent who uses marijuana. The trend suggests that most states will be dealing with these issues sooner rather than later.

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