Video: Two states want to reclassify marijuana

>> two governors are leading a push to have marijuana reclassified so they can be selling marijuana at pharmacies instead of dispensaries. they are asking the da to downgrade the drug's rating. in case you didn't know marijuana is scheduled as schedule 1 that includes lsd and heroin. they want it dropped to schedule 2 that means pot would join the ranks of cocaine and meth, but legal and commonly predescribed drugs like morphine. marijuana never caused a leagual overdose and less addictive than alcohol and caffeine. the bureau chief for the " huffington post " and author of this is your country on drugs and getting high in america for those of you who didn't know, ryan wrote that book. what do you think? are they going to get any traction?

>> i think they are. when you think about the medical marijuana fight, it's kind of a lot like the gay marriage fight. we are still having a few skirmishes on it, but it's essentially over. opponents are sort of like the japanese soldiers who are in the pacific islands still fighting world war ii in the 1980s . maybe we ought to ? drop leaflets and say look, just leave the pot heads alone. the country has moved beyond this. specifically with these governors, it's a little bit more nuanced. they are trying to put the blame on the federal government . both of those states have passed medical marijuana laws, but they don't want to implement them because either they are squishy politically or nervous for other reasons. they are saying hey, feds, reclassify marijuana and then we will implement this law. plenty of other states, chris christie in new jersey and a number of others are implementing their laws. the district of columbia is moving forward. it's not like people or everyone is afraid of the federal government . obama has promised to back off of states where it's legal. these governors are actually being a little wishy washy and trying to look courageous.

>> let me ask you. you mentioned washington and rhode island , two of the 16 states and mentioned d.c. of course that allow medical use of marijuana . wouldn't it be better overall if you did have the dea change the classification? there people even in states where medical marijuana is legalized that feel they are harassed and dispensaries feel their actions are questioned and they still live under a cloud even though the medical marijuana is legal. don't we need to have a federal action here?

>> no question about it. there was a-year fight with the fda to reclassify it with the da. this summer they ruled that no, they will leave it in schedule 1. it's great that they are taking that fight up again. that does have to happen for this to be a comprehensive ? nationwide policy. that is what you want long-term. in the meantime that's not excuse to say i'm not going to implement the law that the legislature pass and that is signed into law. you are absolutely right in the long-term, but in the short-term, a lot of people need medical marijuana right now and they don't have time to wait for the dea to acknowledge this is over.

>> you are right about that. great to see you. haven't

Source: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/newsnation/45513073/

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