What's next for marijuana laws?

CBS/iStockphoto

Less than two weeks from now, on Dec. 6, anyone over the age of 21 will be able to light a joint in Washington state and, practically speaking, there's nothing the government can really do to stop that. The same will be true in Colorado within a matter of weeks.

Smoking marijuana there will soon be legal under state law because of the two initiatives -- Initiative 502 in Washington and Amendment 64 in Colorado -- that passed on Election Day with strong support. The push to legalize recreational marijuana was so successful, in fact, that the Colorado amendment received more votes than President Obama did on the Nov. 6 ballot in that state.

Public sentiment, however, doesn't change the fact that marijuana use -- whether it's recreational or medical -- is still very much against federal law. As these two states begin to set up a framework to tax and regulate the drug, they will at some point have to confront the conflict they've created with Washington.

Mr. Obama's Justice Department has yet to say how it plans to respond. The department could take any number of actions -- among its options are filing a lawsuit against the states, taking law enforcement into its own hands, or taking a more hands-off approach.

In the meantime, lawmakers are waking up to the fact that their constituents are clearly calling for some kind of change in the nation's drug laws. A group of congressmen is urging the federal government to leave Washington and Colorado alone for now. Additionally, some lawmakers have filed legislation to amend the Controlled Substances Act.

"It's just a matter of time for the laws to catch up to reality," Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., told CBSNews.com.

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[MichaelHessler]

Marijuana should have never been a federal issue. The federal government has not only grown too big, it has gone beyond it's legal charter and ignored the 10th Amendment.

Drugs, education, welfare,... are issues for the States and not the federal government. The federal government should have done its duty by issuing green back dollars printed on hemp paper and have never allowed the creation of The Federal Reserve Bank.

The Federal Government should not have done many things beyond the law but instead of rolling back its powers it will most likely amend it's illegal laws to allow for marijuana smoking. Alter all the evil the federal government has done, allow the population another form of stupification would be in their best interest.

[KLRedwood]

The War on Drugs is terrorism against the people, nothing less.

[MassCitizen]

Oh, and here is where you can see how "SAFE" legal drugs are:

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57554838/drinking-grapefruit-juice-with-some-medications-can-be-deadly-study-warns

[MassCitizen]

"The federal government could threaten to withhold state funding to state and local law enforcement until they enforce federal laws."

The REAL reason Law Enforcement is against it!!!

[ticobird]

This web page is one of the most enlightening things I've read about legalizing or otherwise modifying US Marijuana law enforcement.

http://www.policeone.com/chiefs-sheriffs/articles/4835061-Legalizing-marijuana-Police-officers-speak-out/

[ticobird]

Here is another good law enforcement website to check out that speaks out against the prohibition of Marijuana. By the way there is a lot more on this website than just the videos.

http://www.leap.cc/watch-a-video/

[ticobird]

Basically, the "War on Drugs" has a huge component of self interest with respect to law enforcement jobs and budgets that most people don't realize. The US needs to lead the world toward enlightenment with regard to controlling the use of drugs.

[AOCGUY]

Nobodyhasthisname replies: linkicon reporticon emailicon Those top doctors were probably defending their own use of it. Don't ask a doper if dope is safe. You will always get the same answer

Safe for who? If you are referring to the pot smoker who cares? That is their problem not yours. Tobacco use has been proven to be hazardous to ones health but we haven't made that illegal.

[AOCGUY]

I would think that the federal government has much more important things to do than worrying about whether some private citizen choses to light up. All the states have appropriate laws on the books to deal with those you drive or operate machinary while under the influence of intoxicants.

[MassCitizen]

Me to, but, hey, going after Marijuana users is easy work and not as dangerous as going to a domestic violence call where both people are intoxicated.

Besides, when there do respond to a domestic violence call, they can't seize the house, the wife get's it.

[cydygitt2]

"In the meantime, lawmakers are waking up to the fact that their constituents are clearly calling for some kind of change in the nation's drug laws."

"There's always the chance, though, that the federal government could opt to let the states carry out their experiment with recreational marijuana."

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Clearly the majority of these 2 states spoke, and the federal government should allow these 2 states to carry out this "experiment".

[freedom_1111]

Marijuana threatens many textile industries, as more than 10,000 products can be made from it. One quick example; You can produce the same amount of paper from one acre of marijuana as Your can from one acre of timber. The paper quality is superior as well, and can be harvested every year. The trees take 20 years to regrow. Almost every major industry would affected in a positive fashion. Why should we legalize? The question should be why NOT legalize! http://www.kratom-k.com

[micmac666]

The possibilities are endless.
http://www.hempcar.org/ford.shtml

[freedom_1111]

Marijuana threatens many textile industries, as more than 10,000 products can be made from it. One quick example; You can produce the same amount of paper from one acre of marijuana as Your can from one acre of timber. The paper quality is superior as well, and can be harvested every year. The trees take 20 years to regrow. Almost every major industry would affected in a positive fashion. Why should we legalize? The question should be why NOT legalize! http://www.kratom-k.com