MarijuanaMajority

I'd say the most powerful opponents in the past have been (in this order): - Federal officials and intelligence agencies within the US government (including the DEA, which is considered a US intel agency); - Police unions (federal, state, and local); and - Private prison companies.

This situation has changed for the better in recent years, given that high-level officials within the White House and DOJ have begun to put the brakes on aspects of federal enforcement efforts.

Considering that the federal law we're pushing for allows (and really must by design for Constitutional reasons) a state-by-state approach to legalization — which is the same system used for alcohol by the way — I doubt marijuana will be legal in all fifty states any time soon. It's a great question, and so incredibly difficult to predict. By comparison, consider that Mississippi kept alcohol illegal until 1966 or so, I believe.

This isn't a dumb question at all. Most people have no idea what it means to lobby. The main job of a lobbyist is making sure that everyone who has a role in advancing legislation is talking. As a simple example, it's a little like middle school dating rituals: "Can you pass a note to Senator Smith and let him know that Senator Jones told me he likes Senator Smith and would talk to him, but only if Smith calls him first?"

It's disturbingly accurate, with one fortunate exception. Most politicians aren't that clever, so the level of manipulation is less intense. Most people would be alarmed to know the degree to which terrible policy comes not from nefarious intentions, but often simply from mismanagement and ignorance.

I kind of set that one up.