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Obama on legalizing marijuana
01:37 - Source: CNN

Story highlights

Obama administration largely taking a pass on bumper crop of state pot laws

State and federal lawmen frustrated by patchwork of pot laws, Obama administration attitude

Midterm and 2016 elections could herald a change on nation's marijuana policies

Experts say the federal government will eventually have to step in

Washington CNN  — 

The state-led push to legalize pot is a “chronic” problem for the Obama administration.

Marijuana is not only legal in Colorado and Washington, but cannabis has become a cottage industry complete with 420 sampler tours and shops where customers can buy pot brownies or candy in those two states.

And New York and Florida could soon join the 20 states and the District of Columbia where medical marijuana is legal, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The administration has taken a fuzzy stance on the matter: in states where it’s legal to puff, the government will pass on punishment.