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To the Point

Legalizing Marijuana: States v. the Federal Government

To the Point

KCRW

News

4.4583 Ratings

🗓️ 8 May 2013

⏱️ 52 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Eighteen states and Washington, DC have legalized medical marijuana and 52% of Americans approve of its recreational use. But federal law says it's as illegal as heroin.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

From KCRW in Santa Monica and PRI, Public Radio International, this is To the Point.

0:07.8

The federal dilemma over states' rights and marijuana.

0:14.8

Hello again, I'm Mormon Alney, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International.

0:18.8

The daily look at the issues Americans care about most.

0:21.5

Federal law says marijuana is more dangerous than cocaine as bad as heroin, but 52% of Americans

0:27.8

want it legalized for recreational use. Colorado and Washington are the first states to go that

0:32.7

far, but medical marijuana has been approved by voters in 18 states and Washington, D.C.

0:37.9

What's the Obama administration to do?

0:40.7

A crackdown might lead to a backlash?

0:42.9

Can it enforce the law differently in different parts of the country?

0:46.1

Statements by different officials are hard to reconcile.

0:49.1

We'll look at the available options today.

0:51.0

On reporter's notebook later on, sexual assault and epidemic in America's

0:55.8

armed forces. First, here's the news.

1:01.6

Listen to KCRW's 24-hour all-news channel. Stream BBC World Service, NPRW programs,

1:10.1

continuous coverage and accessible via our smartphone app or

1:13.5

online at KCRW.com.

1:20.0

Support for To The Point comes from the members of KCRW and from the Public Radio International

1:25.9

Program Fund. Hello again, Warren. I-A. back with To the Point.

1:29.0

Eighteen states in Washington, D.C. have legalized medical marijuana. Voters in Colorado and

1:34.3

Washington have approved recreational use, and 52 percent of Americans think that's a good idea.

1:40.2

But under federal law, marijuana is still as illegal as heroin. What's really known about its risks and its benefits?

...

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