Pubdate: Mon, 17 Dec 2012 Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA) Copyright: 2012 Hearst Communications Inc. Contact: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/submissions/#1 Website: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/388 DRUG-WAR TRUCE? Did President Obama just create a thaw in the very cold, decades-long war on drugs? Following the passage of marijuana legalization measures in Colorado and Washington, Obama spoke to ABC's Barbara Walters with a new sense of gravity about drug policy. The Colorado and Washington ballot measures have put those states in direct conflict with federal law on marijuana, but Obama seems to be aware of shifting public opinion on this issue. "This is a tough problem, because Congress has not yet changed the law," Obama said, a phrase that seemed to open the door for Congress to do just that. He also said that the country needed to have "a conversation," whatever that means, but that he didn't think pursuing recreational marijuana users in Colorado and Washington should be a "top priority" of federal law enforcement. Of course, federal law enforcement hasn't focused on individual drug users for decades - they leave that matter to the state and local police and focus on larger scale operations. But even with all of his hedging, Obama seems to understand that Americans want to try new approaches in the face of an endless drug war. Should Congress act, states could easily be allowed the space to set their own rules regarding marijuana. Under the 21st Amendment, they already have the right to legislate and control the sale and manufacture of alcoholic beverages. We're sure that there are some states in the Union that are eager to get their hands on the tax revenue that would come from legalized marijuana, particularly if they had the right to set those rates. There would also be states that are eager to set strict rules on the manufacture and transportation of marijuana, much as they have for alcohol. But first Congress has to allow that possibility, as Obama is suggesting. The legal conflict between states and the federal government on marijuana is likely to grow with each election cycle. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D