no dice

It seems as though the legalization of marijuana is gaining traction in the mainstream media. (Check out this recent hydroponic pot story from Time magazine.) States are facing daunting deficits; creating loopholes for limited marijuana legalization, i.e. medicinal marijuana, and then taxing those loopholes may help close some states' budget gaps.

But don't expect mass decriminalization of pot anytime soon – if ever. Just weeks ago it seemed as if the United States Congress was on the verge of crafting a bill that would offer medical coverage for the millions of uninsured (I am one of them, by the way). Unfortunately this will not be one of the bill's provisions.

My point: national medical coverage seemed like a real possibility. It's not going to happen. Likewise for legal pot. Americans will get national health coverage before guilt-free bong hits. Don't expect either anytime soon.

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