Both federal and state governments have laws and regulations concerning noxious weeds. Laws stipulate what must be done and who will do it. Regulations interpret the law and describe how it will be implemented. Federal weed laws and regulations are geared more toward preventing unwanted plants from entering into the US, while state laws and regulations are aimed more at the control and removal of weedy plants already here. Both federal and state laws list the "noxious weeds" that must be controlled.

          Many other city, county, state, and federal environmental laws come into play with the management of weeds. Water quality, endangered species, wilderness, and recreation are just some of the issues tied to laws and regulations that govern how weed management tools may be used.