Feds give states breathing room on legal marijuana

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced a new policy that will allow states to adopt permissive marijuana policies if they do so "in a responsible manner."  Under these new guidelines, "the Justice Department will not challenge state laws and prosecutors may not bring cases against individual users unless they violate eight federal priorities, including marijuana distribution to minors or as a cover for drug trafficking operations."

 This is a great boost for the marijuana legalization movement and there will be pushes in many other states to legalize medical and/or recreational use of marijuana.  Ballot initiatives are already planned in a number of states.   From federalism and libertarian perspectives, this is a good move. Stay tuned.

No legalized pot in California

The California initiative to legalize small-scale pot use and production failed at the polls. Mexico's President was against it. It might have been an interesting experiment, but it would have been contrary to federal law and may never have gotten off the ground anyway. Backers may try again in 2012. LINK