Alaska becomes 3rd state with legal marijuana

[Omaha Steve]

11. Well apparently the federal pot police are taking a smoke break

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Partygoers dance and smoke pot during the 420 marijuana celebration in Denver this year. Colorado’s legalization of marijuana, first for medical purposes in 2009 and then for everybody over 21 this year, has led to a surge of marijuana-related arrests and seizures across the border in western Nebraska, straining police budgets.


With pot legal in Colorado, western Nebraska police appeal for help, saying their counties are deluged with drugs: http://www.omaha.com/news/metro/with-pot-legal-in-colorado-western-nebraska-police-appeal-for/article_d8b5a84a-9449-5439-9e25-e953addc72f7.html

POSTED: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 10:30 PM | UPDATED: 4:24 PM, TUE SEP 9, 2014.
By David Hendee / World-Herald staff writer

OGALLALA, Neb. — Lawmen on the state’s marijuana frontier asked for help Monday to identify drug-fogged drivers and to stem growing marijuana access and use by young people.

During a hearing of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee in Ogallala, western Nebraska law enforcement officers outlined the impact of Colorado’s legalization of marijuana for medical 
and recreational use.

“Colorado’s legalization of marijuana has completely changed the landscape involving the marijuana that we encounter,” said Scotts Bluff County Sheriff Mark Overman.

Overman said the potency of the pot encountered by law enforcement agencies has increased dramatically. Prices have at least tripled and there is a marked increase in the number of kids as young as 14 who are being ticketed for possession.

FULL story at link.