WASHINGTON -
Supporters of legalizing marijuana may have an ally in Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy.
Colorado and Washington passed new laws in November legalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana. That puts those states in direct conflict with federal law.
Leahy, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, plans to hold hearings on the matter next year to see how the Obama Administration plans to handle that conflict. Leahy notes the fiscal constraints facing law enforcement and suggests one option would be to amend federal law to allow marijuana possession in states where it is legal.
