"Mandatory E-Verify without comprehensive immigration reform will not end illegal immigration, free up jobs for unemployed Americans, or save the country money. In fact, studies of E-Verify predict the opposite."

Comments made by Columbia, Mo., Police Chief Ken Burton last week have excited marijuana legalization advocates, and the chief is standing by his statement that he does not know how to enforce the city's marijuana laws.

"If we can get out of the business, I think there is a lot of police officers that would be happy to do that," Chief Burton said of using police resources in enforce marijuana laws.

For nearly 30 years, the biggest threat to Northern California pot growers has been raids by local and federal drug agents. But along with those considerable risks came propped-up marijuana prices that insured rich profits.