ALTHOUGH THE 1975 LAW EXPRESSLY CHARGES THE COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION WITH THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROTECTING THE PUBLIC AGAINST COMMODITY FRAUDS THROUGH ENFORCEMENT OF THE COMMODITY EXCHANGE ACT, THE STATES CONTINUE TO PLAY A ROLE IN PROTECTING THEIR CITIZENS AGAINST COMMODITY FRAUD. STATES MAY TAKE ACTION TO ENFORCE THE FEDERAL LAW UNDER THE DOCTRINE OF PARENS PATRIAE AND, CONSISTENT WITH THE FEDERAL REGULATORY SCHEME, MAY CONTINUE TO ENFORCE THEIR OWN GENERAL CRIMINAL ANTIFRAUD STATUTES. COURT CASES SUPPORTING THE PARENS PATRIAE ROLE ARE CITED. THE BENEFITS TO BE DERIVED THROUGH STATES' WILLINGNESS TO COORDINATE THEIR ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS WITH THE COMMISSION'S PROGRAM ARE POINTED OUT.