To the Point
Legalizing Marijuana: States v. the Federal Government
Eighteen states and Washington, DC have legalized medical marijuana and 52% of Americans approve of its recreational use. But federal law says it's as illegal as heroin.
By Warren Olney • • 51m ListenEighteen states and Washington, DC have legalized medical marijuana. Voters in Colorado and Washington have approved recreational use, and 52% of Americans agree. But, under federal law, marijuana is still as illegal as heroin. What’s really known about its risks and its benefits? Is it a case of Prohibition all over again? Also, will releasing hospital prices solve the mystery of medical costs? On Reporter's Notebook, sexual assault in the US military is up by 35 percent in just two years. Is it time for change in the chain of command?
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In this episode
3 storiesWill Releasing Hospital Prices Solve the Mystery of Medical Costs?
For the first time today, the federal Centers for Medicare released the price tags for common medical procedures. Depending on the hospital involved, it turns out they can differ by orders of magnitude. Sarah Kliff is health policy reporter for the Washington Post .
Read the story8 minThe Federal Dilemma over States Rights and Marijuana
Federal law says marijuana's more dangerous than cocaine — as bad as heroin. Yet a lot has changed since the Federal Controlled Substances Act became law in 1970, and 52 percent of Americans want it legalized for recreational use.
Read the story36 minThe Military's Sexual Predator Problem
Since the Pentagon announced that sexual assaults in the military have increased by 35 percent between 2010 and 2012, there's been plenty of outrage. President Obama promised , "We're not going tolerate this stuff, and there will be accountability." But on Sunday, Lt. Col.
Read the story7 min
