After voters in Alakska, Oregon, and the District of Columbia voted on November 4, 2014 to legalize marijuana (and voters in Florida came up just short of the 60% majority required to change their state's constitution to allow for medical marijuana), The Economist is calling for the federal government to follow the lead of the states and legalize cannabis.

"The federal government and Congress should face up to the reality that across swathes of America, pot is now all but legal—and voters want it that way. They should redirect their efforts to making it as well-regulated as booze and cigarettes."

"Marijuana Milestone: Almost Half of American States Have Taken Steps to Legalise Cannabis. The Federal Government Should Follow." Editorial. The Economist 8 Nov. 2014: n. pag. The Economist. The Economist. Web. <http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21631029-almost-half-american-states-have-taken-steps-legalise-cannabis-federal-government>.