Executive Branch

It's been fairly quiet over the holidays, but medical marijuana is legal in Massachusetts now!

In some ways, 2012 has been a year of dramatic, exciting change in drug policy, as the edifice of global drug prohibition appears to crumble before our eyes. In other ways it's still business as usual in the drug war. Here, we look at the biggest drug policy stories of the year.

Pressure is mounting on the Obama administration to say how it will respond to the marijuana legalization votes in Colorado and Washington. Now, the head of the Senate Judiciary Committee is calling for hearings on the issue.

Dispensary wars continue in California, a package of restrictive bills passes in Michigan, and DC's long-awaited dispensaries are a step closer to opening.

President Obama said Friday that going after marijuana users in states where it is legal is not a "top priority," but did not address what the federal government will do about taxation and regulation of marijuana commerce.

Lots of action -- good, bad, and ugly -- in California this week, plus a Washington appeals court ruling that appears to clear the way for dispensaries.

HSBC Bank has admitted laundering at least $881 million in drug cartel proceeds in a plea agreement with federal prosecutors that has resulted in the forfeiture of more than a billion dollars.

And then there were two. It is now legal to possess up to an ounce of marijuana or grow six plants in Colorado. The Rocky Mountain State now joins Washington state, where it went legal last week.

A second poll in as many weeks shows limited support for federal intervention in Colorado and Washington, and a majority saying the feds should butt out.