Transcripts For KGO This Week With George Stephanopoulos 20140202

Hello, unprecedented security at the big game. Thats a live shot of times square and metlife stadium. Law enforcement officials locked in, saying the next few hours pose the greatest danger. And tracking everything being done to block an attack. Good morning, pierre. Fworgood morning. This is the biggest event. This morning, its a fortress, but for the nest few hours, turning to the softest, most vulnerable target, fans streaming to the super bowl by mass transit. Travel big subways and trains. Specialized units will be checking anyone with bags. At this staging area, bombsniffing dogs and sophisticated radiation and xray machines scan for explosives and weapons for every delivery to the big game. Food, everything . Even seat cushions. On the waters today, teams looking to protect the people in the fan zone in times square and the super bowl. There are even super sonic f16 fighter jets to protect against threats in the sky. I saw firsthand when i suited up to train with the new Jersey National guard. In this exercise, a team of three f16s is told to intercept the cessna in the sky. They talked about they fear most. The person we dont know about who comes out of nowhere who wants to make a statement. The issue of concern not only in new york, but the country, the lone wolf. As in boston, the two brothers who conspired. The Boston Marathon bombings were a painful remind that anything can happen even during fun and games. And now to the two governors, john hickenlooper, and governorhickenlooper, are you satisfied that everythings safe . Yes. I think they have done everything you can do. We did the Democratic Convention in 2008. They put in the time and effort. They have. Are you okay, governorness l . Yes, we have a total interception liege of doom. You got right to the game. You are feeling good about the defense. Thats what were kons traltitral concentrating on. Peyton manning going to make histo history . Hes made history. Both on and off the field, hes an inspiration for colorado. Rebuilding the roads, we used hurry hurry, get people back in their houses as quick as we could. So youre confident, what are you betting . We dont have a bet, but we have honored the states. Governor has named his 14,000 foot peaks over individual broncos. But were a more teamoriented team, we named Mount Rainier mount seahawks because we are thinking team. We are looking forward to it as well. Later in the program, we are bringing a panel of experts on legalizing marijuana. Your two states are on the forefront. Governor, you opposed the referendum. A few weeks in, are your fears realized and whats the biggest challenge Going Forward . I think that anyone who opposed it, and there are a lot of good reasons to oppose it, we have an obligation. The voters pasted it 5545, to do it properly. Make sure that kids under the age of 21 dont get it. A lot of the top scientists thinking you lose longterm memory using highthc marijuana. Regulate it like alcohol. That we have the resources necessary to keep it out of the hands of kids and keep our communities safe. Your sales start later this year. Are you learning anything from the colorado experience . Well, a little bit. I think both states are doing a good job of having a wellregulated market. Both our governors are very interested in making sure we educate our kids about dangers associated with this like with alcohol. I think things are going well in both states. And i want to give appreciation to the Obama Administration whos been working, i think, in a very responsibility way, allowing the states to move forward. Sit states have beenoratories of democracy in american history. They are going well. I want to say we want a wellregulated system. It is going to be that in both states. We are going to achieve success. Have fun tonight. Thank you, gentlemen. Now to the new troubles for the host governor of the super bowl, Chris Christie. Confronting poishlly explosive charges that he wasnt telling the whole truth at the marathon press conference on the bridgegate scandal. Pushing back hard overnight, and rita has the latest. Thousands of fans cheering their teams, but new Jersey Governor Chris Christie getting jeers from the crowd saturday. That speech is the same thing. Reporter after a potentially explosive claim from a former ally, former Port Authority official, David Wildstein who alleges that christie knew about the lane closures that brought the George Washington bridge to a standstill. He wrote that evidence exists tying to show mr. Christie had knowledge during the period. But he is fighting back, sending an email to supporters saturday, obtained by abc news, attacking wild steins background and credibility. The message concludes that he will do and save anything to save himself. And the statement repeats christies claim that he had no involvement in the lane cloe sures. I had no knowledge, the planning, execution. I found out about it after it was over. Reporter but the investigation continues. On monday, newly subpoenaed documents are expected to be turned over, examining the traffic scandal. While christie has not been subpoenaed, much like the final score of tonights game, his political future is still unknown. For this week, reena ninan, abc news, new york. And now the top headline ewe are paul ryan. And now begin with the new charges against Chris Christie. The democrats have an online ad this morning. With all the investigations swirling around, are you confident he can continue to run the Republican Governors Association and be an effective spokesman for your party . Im confident. He is a friend and fantastic governor. Now we have one persons word against another. You cant base a conclusion on such a thing. Unless Something Else is known or made clear, i dont see why you would change whats going on. He shouldnt step down. Nothing has been proven, and always give a person the benefit of the doubt in my judgment. Turn to the president s state of the union this week. He called for congress to act but made it clear he would use executive orders to advance his agenda. Wherever and whenever i can take steps without legislation to expand opportunity for more american families, thats what im going to do. You have a tough reaction, saying hes circumventing the constitution. Do you think his proposals are unconstitutional . His rate of executive orders is far behind president reagan, bush, clinton. Its not the number of executive orders, itsed scope. Its the fact that hes actually contradicting law, like in the health care case, or proposing new laws. Thats the issue. An ningly lawless we have an increasingly lawless presidency where hes doing the job of congress, writing now policies and laws without going through congress. President s dont write laws, congress does. When he does like in health care, delaying mandates that the law said was supposed to secure, thats not his job. The job of congress is to change laws if he doesnt like them, not the presidency. Executive orders are one thing. But executive orders that actually change the statute, thats different. Bnkts. But if hes lawless, sir country venting the cushion, are you going to impeach . No, we have a difference of opinion. You have religious freedom going to the court this spring. But im concerned with the trend that if congress doesnt give me the law, im going to do it myself. Thats not the way the constitution works. Sworn in, a president or a congressman, you swear to uphold the constitution. These are creating a dangerous trend temporary to the constitution. Listening to you and president obama, you could have a meet of the minds on immigration, reach a compromise on Immigration Reform. One that opens a path to citizenship for the undocumented, but doesnt necessarily center a special path for the undocumented. But this talk of compromise unleashed a furious debate in your party. I want to show you what bill kristol wrote. He said bringing immigration to the floor has a circular firing squad instead of shooting together at obamacare and other biggovernment liberalism. Theres no reason to act this year. Dont try. Your response . We dont know whos coming and going, interior enforcement. You talked about the boston bombers. Its not a responsible thing to do. Its important you brought this up after the executive orders. All republicans agree that we dont trust the president to enforce the law. Look at the standards that the Republican Leadership put out, security first. First we have to secure the border, have interior enforcement, a worker verification system, a visa tracking system, they have to be in law and in practice and independently verified before the rest of the law can occur. Its a nonamnesty approach. The other concern they dont want us in conference and compromise to a bad law. We wont that let that happen. We wont go to the kchbs with the senate. This is not an issue with a deadline, a Government Shutdown that forces us into a compromise we might not like to take. Here are our standards and approach, if you want to do it this way, this what we do. And we are having a debate about that. But we dont think that we can allow this border to continue to be overrun. And if we can get security first, no amnesty before anything happens, thats a good approach. This is not a trust and verify, this is a verify and trust approach. Can you put something on the president s desk this year he can sign . I dont know the answer to this a question. Its clearly in doubt. It depends on whether theyre willing to actually secure the border, have interior enforcement and no amnesty. Securityfirst, no amnesty. We might be able to get somewhere. But i dont know if thats going to be the case. Let me ask about the debt limit, the president made it clear theres no way hes going to agree to anything but a clean debt limit. You and members of your caucus talking about attaching policy changes to the debt limit. Any reason to think it can succeed . It hasnt before. Well, we have had policies attached to the debt limit before. Thats more the case than not. Whatever a president is, whoevers running congress, there is policy attached to the debt limit. Thats not a new idea. We dont want to rubber stamp the increases without acknowledging the problem that got us into debt in the first place. The president never proposed to balance the budget, let alone pay off the debt. He has been fiscally reckless. We need to take steps in the right direction. And there are democrats who agree with us. What are those things we can do to step in the right direction with jobs, the economy, getting the deficit under control while we deal with it being out of control. President is not going to sign that. You made comments about pope francis. You praised him for taking on the debate about poverty. But dismissed his critique of capital him. You said the guy is from argentina. They havent had real capitalism in argentina. Was that too flip . No. They have crony capitalism in arkansas ggentin argentina. Thats real exploitation. Thats crony capitalism. We are starting to see it in america. What im excited about the popes comments, hes inviting the debate, not settling it. And asking lay catholics how we would tackle the problems and stop higisolating the poor. Hes starting a fantastic debate. If you look at comments closely, he talks about the welfare mentality. About the welfare state and how we have to avoid creating a welfare state. Bring the poor in, create upward mobili mobility, and Free Enterprise that gives opportunity to everybody in life and in america. Thats what we are for. Hes invited the debate. You dont think hed endorse your budget, do you . Of course not. Hes a pope. Popes dont endorse budgets. Popes say lets have a conversation about how to fix the broken status quo, how to bring the poor in, not have a welfare state and produce upward mobility. Popes dont endorse actual legislative changes or budgets. Congressman, thanks for your time. Its an interesting debate. Thank you. And up next, the powerhouse roundtable and the state of the union, Chris Christies troubles and Hillary Clintons latest polls. And the latest twist in the amanda knox trial. Will they have to return her to italy . And the marijuana debate in america. Our team tackles the tough issues. Department be forced to send amanda knox to italy. And the marijuana debate. We tackle the tough questions. F italy. And the marijuana debate. We tackle the tough questions. D amanda knox to italy. And the marijuana debate. We tackle the tough questions. F italy. And the marijuana debate. We tackle the tough questions. To send amanda knox to italy. And the marijuana debate. We tackle the tough questions. F italy. And the marijuana debate. We tackle the tough questions. D amanda knox to italy. And the marijuana debate. We tackle the tough questions. F italy. And the marijuana debate. We tackle the tough questions. And the marijuana debate. We tackle the tough questions. . And the marijuana debate. We tackle the tough questions. And coming up and coming up, can Chris Christie recover from this weekends latest salvo . The roundtable is ready to take on all the weeks politics in just over a minute. Ready to take on all the weeks politics in just under a minute. His fifth state of the union had a strong central theme lets make this a year of action. And what better way to start a year of action than with an hour of talking . President obama promised to focus on economic growth, education and health care, or as people tuning in thought, oh, crap, its a rerun. Proposals, with the republicans in the house, its likely nothing will come of them. Proposals on the bachelor have a better chance of working out. Late night on the president s speech. And two of the newest members, bill kristol, and ana navarro, republican strategist with matthew dowd and donna brazile. And krooug krooug paul krugman of the New York Times and princeton. We have to begin with the new developments over the weekend about Chris Christie. We have David Wildstein, the Port Authority, suggesting that Chris Christie is not telling the truth, saying that evidence exists there. You say the new allegations which prompted a huge response from Chris Christie means hes less likely to be elected president than amanda knox will vacation in italy . Isnt that overstating the case . No, of course not. Theres no way i would overstate it. Hes in a serious situation. This memo they put out they put out a memo trashing wildstein. They brought up the fact nobody liked him in high school. Any time you do that, to me, it sends a signal you are worried and concerned and theres more to this than that. Just like Punxsutawney Phil saw theres going to be six months more winter, Chris Christie stood up at that super bowl thing yesterday, got booed, and he has a long winter ahead of him. And the question is that Chris Christie has information, he said evidence exists suggesting that. Well see if its true or not, that would be a huge blow. I have no knowledge what happened. But having talked to various republican establishment types, im reaching across the aisle. It would be nice to be since when are you against republican establishment . Im protea party. But the last 48 hours, asking about the christie situation, they have a twoword answer, jeb bush. Im serious. Im really struck by how much christie, who was the establishment favorite i think for the republican president ial nomination in 2016, they are beginning to, maybe foolishly, they are beginning to write him off. I think we will see a big drum beat of jeb into the race. Meanwhile, paul krugman, the democrats are jump on this hard. I was surprised they put out an ad. It runs on its own, doesnt it . They are having fun. He scared them for 2016. And this is wonderful, actually. And this whole thing, wildstein, he is scum of the earth, nobody should trust him, and i put him in an important policy post. Christie is in a nowin situation even without a smoking gun. Its a lot of going on. And now Chris Christie will deal with those who oppose him. He will do a document dump. The information out of his office, ana told me its official, to put out on this guy. To go back to high school, he was deceptive and unproductive. To appoint him to the highlevel position. He was a Chris Christie guy. They are meeting in washington, d. C. This week. I wonder how many governors will take pictures, Chris Christie versus scott walker or other governors. Ink Chris Christie is in a lot of trouble. Unlike other politicians we did a dump on somebody thats talking bad about him. Look, put this in context. The only new evidence we have right now is that this guy who, you know, Chris Christie keeps saying was a dork in high school, hes got to stop that. Its turning into revenge of the nerds. Only new evidence we have now is that hes not going to have Chris Christies back. Hes implicated and wanting to clear his name. Hes giving all indications that hes going to say what he has to say and show whatever hes got show. That changes the equation. But we have no new evidence in the last three days that he actually knew anything. If that comes out, the situation changes completely for Chris Christie. But today, we are in the same spot we were three days ago. We just dont know how this is going to shake out. And we know that wildstein is trying to get immunity before he talks, which is significant. What about the point about jeb bush . Interesting to see him talk about running for president this week. Take a look. The decision will be can i do it joyfully . We have to have candidates raise our spirits. Its a pessimistic country right now. He can barely crack a smile. Can he do it joyfully . I think so. I think the question hes asking himself ive heard him talk about this and say this exact answer for four or five months to his Close Friends and other people. Its going to depend on can his family be fully supported, his wife and kids. I do think hes given up on his mom. Hes got to work on his mom. And, you know, when he says do it joyfully, he wants to have an optimistic visionary agenda for america, and go out doing it and campaign, which is a rigorous system, a rigorous process. Do it with happiness and joy and the desire to do it. Hes going to sit down in late summer, make that decision. I hope he decides to run. I think he would bring so much to the debate. He would be a gamechanger. When it comes to hispanic concern the race i always said i was going to be on the republican side, but i was going big or tall, id rather go with a tall guy. Go ahead. Now that the right lane is closed on the socalled bridge to 2016, the center lane is open. But i dont think jeb bush can win the republican nomination. Because of the tea party. They are still anxious you hope jeb bush doesnt win the republican nomination because you know hes going to be tough to beat. To me, this is so telling. Jeb bush is qualified, ran a huge state. I think the name is good. Theres questions about whether or not the last name has any penetration capability in the general election. But watch this, theres 330 million americans, and are we going to vote between a bush and a clinton in 2016 . So Many Americans are like, really, theres nobody else to pick from . Its been that way for 30 years. Look at the Washington Post abc news poll, with Hillary Clinton on the democrat side. Unbelievable, 73 support, never a number like that in a primary poll. Two years out still. Bring this to you. You start to hear people really talking about the potential, if she gets in, shell be virtually unopposed. Its funny. Will rogers on his head, he said im not a member of an organized political party, im a democrat. And now they have the unity, and the republicans are falling to pieces. Its an interesting thing. I think ultimately is comes back to i havent said this comes back to health reform. Back to the fact that the great democratic dream has been pushed through. Republicans think its going to collapse, but theyre deluding themselves. That means that the party is unified in a way it hasnt been for many, more decades. I dont think its good for hillary or the democrats if shes unopposed. What we saw this week is that Hillary Clinton is rusty politically. When she said she hasnt driven since 1996. We thought mitt romney was unrelatable . She hasnt worried about car repairs youre in a city where lots of people dont drive every day. This isnt a swing state and an early primary. Even with her lead, i think, bill and i were talking about this, dont know if it helps another democrat, but there is an opportunity for somebody with a populist message against wall street. Dont look at headtohead numbers, to run as prowall street. The other thing that i think is interesting about this which is ironic, she was road blocked in 2008 by president obama and couldnt get through the primary to win the general election. Most people thought the democrat was going to automatically win. Now she has no road block s. She has barack obama as a road block because his performance in office. I want to get to president obama right now. We saw the state of the union, talking about executive action. Some confrontation, but less than people expected. Not a lot of hope for major legislation this year. I guess the big question, bill kristol, can any of these things that president obama is asking for make a big difference . And does this lay the groundwork for his comeback strategy . Its a strikingly uninspired speech, small liberal ideas without a theme. I watched it on set. I could have written a better speech. I wouldnt have believed it. But if i were a liberal speech writer talk about how bad things were, what a disaster bush was, the financial crisis, 10. 8 , we are coming back. He could have painted a picture that could have put the republicans on the defensive. He didnt do that. It was heres my small liberal idea on job training and Something Else. I dont think it was effective. Written a better speech, could you have . Im not sure. It was a laundry list of small items, and im not interested. But pollsters tell me that the public likes laundry list of small items. They dont have a sense of whats small and whats big. And support an increase in the minimum wage. A lot of things that are popular. Lots of republicans support, but the Republican Party does not. My view on obama is basically hes been in hes been a lame duck since november 2010. Since republicans took control of the house, hes been unable to get anything pass ed, scorchedearth opposition. His first two years make him the most influential since ronald reagan. Health care, he didnt mention it. All he has to do is hang on and create the appearance that hes doing something. Thats his goal. Thats exactly what it was. It was creating the appearance. Because i think its pretty lame duck to go from hope and change, compare to last year, announcing legislative proposals. He announced 12 executive orders most of us cant remember. If youre down to 12 small liberal ideas, executive orders, youre pretty lame duck. Wrote it down, whats he supposed to do . Republicans when they have nothing to talk about, no new ideas from the Republican Party, they downgrade modernizing the school, rebuilding our manufacturing sector, giving the American People a raise. They call it little, small, lishlg liberal ideas when most americans just want to see washington get something done. I think the president hit all the right bases. It wasnt a home run. Didnt have to hit a home run. The republicans cannot agree among themselves. He gave benchmarks to what he can accomplish without congress. And i think thats the most important. Go ahead. Mike lee, who gave the tea party response, which we ignored, wasnt on tv. Mike lees speech was more substantive, more reform ideas and more candid in discussing inequality. We have an inequality crisis, here are conservative ideas. He had more ideas than president obama. And job training, which the president supports. Talked about Immigration Reform, didnt make a big moral, throwing out red meat arguments. Talked about the economic benefits. It seemed like that was him saying i think i can get this done this year. Im not going to go out and be way in front of this. Im going to let Republican Party work it out, and sign something at the end. I think everybody would love for this thing to happen, but, again, hes trying to bet on the reasonableness of certain republicans in the house or senate to make this happen. This issue for me, and i worked for george bush in 2000, he wanted a hispanic or Latino Coalition to build for the Republican Party and in 2004. The republicans have a major problem. Its not like the hispanic or latino voters think this is number one, they care about education and jobs and national security, all those things. The problem for republicans is Immigration Reform is a gateway issue. It basically says you have to do something about that in order for the those voters to listen to you on all those other issues. But bill thinks its crazy politics. Totally crazy. Its a bad bill. The senate bill. To get a bill to the president s desk, it will have to be compromised with the Senate Democratic bill. Theres no compromise for the conservatives in that bill. Why try . They will be in better shape in 2015. This problem has been around a long time. It can wait another year or two. No urgency. Foolish for republicans to bring it up in the house. Its foolish to continue with the status quo. What you heard from paul ryan today and what you have been hearing consistently from john boehner is were not going to accept the senate version. This version is smaller in scope. Surprisingly and smartly this week, democrats have said theyre open to the new version, which does not include citizenship, which is a very tough bill. Its piecemeal, not a big bill like the senate. This is what its going to be. It does appear that the president is willing to put off citizenship not forever but for an awful long time. Can he hold on to his base if he does that . No, i dont think so. I dont think you can create two classes of citizens, one with legal status and the right to vote and the other without. The democrats are going to have to look at the socalled piecemeal approach that the republicans are outlined, the fivestep program, whatever they want to call it, in their recovery mode now to try to get the latino vote back. But the democrats say compromise reform is the way to go. And look at the piecemeal approaches and if thats one way to move the ball. Im an immigrant. Im the one on this table who is an immigrant. I was a refugee, i was a legal permanent resident, and today im a u. S. Citizen. Pew documented this, the majority of hispanics, undocumented immigrants are okay with the Legalization Program because it makes a difference. I cannot say that someone living in fear of deportation cannot take it because its not citizenship. When i know it solves most of the problems they face. Thats the argument the president is making. And one final issue, amanda knox convicted by an italian court. One more appeal left. It raises the question that if the Supreme Court affirms the conviction, will she be extradited to italy. Heres what she said. I will never go willingly back tat place to the place where i im going to fight this until the very end. And its not right. And its not fair. Matthew dowd, you wrote a kl column where you said that this is the exact issue that confirms that our bias is determined about what we think about a policy issue. Its true. Whether or not i think shes guilty or not, or whether americans think shes guilty or not. And in their system after she was acquitted. But we have supported them over the past 70 years after we helped them set up part of it after world war ii. If an italian citizen had come here, gotten convicted, and gone back, we how about screaming for extradition. I also think its a bias towards shes a very attractive young female. A different demographic, we would be looking at this differently. Juice like in the Trayvon Martin case, so many other cases, if you close your eyes and switch positions, we would be thinking something totally different. I would say make up a list of all the countries that dont have extradition treaties and start planning your life. I dont think theres any chance she gets theres a double jeopardy. The u. S. Doesnt have to argue the victim was wrong double jeopardy doesnt apply in this case. Legally it doesnt, but offers an easy out to spin in out. I agree it will be an easy out. Decades. This oldfashioned view that the american president s watch out for the wellbeing for american citizens, especially in the United States of america. I would not send her abroad when its not justice. Its a very corrupt trial and conviction in italy. Thats the last word. And now the powerhouse puzzler. From chris doyle, super bowl. Which president got offers to go pro from the packers and the lions . Bonus points if you guess why he turned them down. Back in two minutes with the answers. And then our expert panel takes on the growing debate over legal marijuana. When does your work end . Does it end after youve expanded your business . After your companys gone public . And the capitals been invested . Or when your companys bought another . Is it over after youve given back . You never stop achieving. Thats why, at barclays, our ambition is to always realize yours. And i know there are many myths out there about a reverse mortgage, so i want you to know the facts. There are currently no credit score or income requirements to qualify. You can get taxfree money from the equity in your home. You can use the money to pay off your current mortgage if you have one. The remaining money can be used for anything. Theres no monthly mortgage payments. And you still own your home call today to get your free guide and dvd. It explains how a governmentinsured reverse mortgage works. Theres no obligation. One reverse mortgage is a quicken loans company. Their licensed experts can answer all your questions. Call to find out what a great solution this can be. Dont wait, call now okay, which preside okay, which president received and refused two offers to play pro football . Donna brazile . Gerald ford. Has to be ford. I guess ill go along with them. You had no idea. I am the last female in the football club. Ford from my home state of michigan and was an allstar. He was at the university of michigan. Recruited out of michigan, but decided to go to law school instead. And we will be back with dr. Richard besser and our expert panel with the debate other legalizing marijuana. [ male announcer ] if we could see energy. What would we see . The billions of gallons of fuel that get us to work. Wed see all the electricity flowing through the devices that connect us and teach us. Wed see that almost 100 of medical plastics are made from oil and natural gas. And an industry that supports almost 10 million american jobs. Life takes energy. And no one applies more technology to produce American Energy and refine it more efficiently than exxonmobil. Because using energy responsibly has never been more important. Energy lives here. I stand by my belief, based, i think, on the scientific evidence, that marijuana, for casual users, individual users, is subject to abuse. But as i said in the interview, the incarceration model that weve taken, particularly around marijuana, does not seem to have produced the kinds of results that weve set. President obama clarifying his recent comments that pot is no more dangerous than alcohol. Coming in the middle of a National Debate sparked by the legalization in colorado and washington. Our expert panel here to take it on. First we have background from dr. Richard besser. Have your i. D. s ready. Reporter its a wild west weed rush. The whole world is watch. Reporter lining sparl out the door. It is historic. Reporter not just from colorado. Hollywood, and im a teacher. Reporter the chance to buy marijuana, not just medical, but just for fun. Perfectly legal. Packs of it. Almost normal. And a huge business opportunity. Can you say anything about how business expanded when it went recreational . On january 1, tripled our sales. Reporter tripled. And the second day, january 2, doubled. Reporter this is the largest dispensary in the state so far. This is the flowering room. And after its harvested, into the trim room. In here, we dry that finished bud. Reporter this is a big operation. We are 20,000 square feet and we are expanding into an additional 20,000 square feet. Reporter though voters decided, the country is divided. 49 support, and 48 oppose. And denvers mayor, michael hancock, is one of them. You were an outspoken critic of the legalization of marijuana. Right. Reporter and now youre in charge of making sure its done right. How do you reconcile that . The people have spoken. And have legalized marijuana in colorado. My personal views aside, i need to carry forth the Regulatory Framework and the mechanisms of this industry in a professional and responsible manner. Reporter this doctor has spent 20 years studying brain addiction in marijuana in teens. It disrupts the development of circuits. And studies show that regular use as an adolescent is associated with a 68 reduction in iq. Reporter High School Senior started smoking in the eighth grade. Before school, during school, after school, at night, late at night and woke up in the morning and started all over again. His whole life became unmanageable and he couldnt stop. Thats an atexas. Reporter his parents enrolled him here. My recovery. My life. Reporter a rehab center for teen boys. No one wants to become an addict, it sneaks up on you. Reporter over a lifetime, 9 of marijuana smokers will become addicted. But compare that to the addiction rates for other legal drugs. 32 for tobacco, and 15 for alcohol. All the object sieve that its far less toxic and addictive than alcohol. Reporter he led the campaign for marijuana in colorado. If you love alcohol, it should be a slam dunk. No acts of violence and bad behavior. Its bad Public Policy to steer adults away from marijuana and toward drinking. Reporter they can test for drinking, for pot nothing on the side of the road that can test like a breathalyzer for marijuana. Reporter instead they look for a steady, horizontal gaze, being able to stand on one leg and being able to walk and turn without stumbling. But marijuana arrests arent just for impaired driving. For in 2011, there were 750,000 arrests for marijuana nationwide, most for possession. We have spent too many resources incarcerating people. Lets be smart, legalize it, tax it, and make sure people are held responsible for the responsible use of it. Reporter these 22 year olds came to colorado to snow board and get high. Legally. What do you think about it being legal . It takes pressure off your shoulders. Reporter a lot of the pressure. You know the name and the strain. A lot of people are knowing about this product. Its about smell and taste. Flavor, obviously. Reporter like a fine wine. Colorado is becoming its own little napa valley. And now with our expert with us, and allison from Washington States aclu, Pierre Thomas and ricar ricardo, the marijuana editor of the denver post. No paper has had that before. You surprised me a little bit here, you started out skeptical, but youve evolved. Im a parent of two teenage boys, im a pediatrician. Im concerned about the impact on the developing brain from frequent use. I went in thinking theres no way it should be legal. The more i got into the story, the more i was convinced bit arguments around the comparison between alcohol and its dangers and marijuana. Its just not rational that adults dont have the choice of using marijuana, but they do for alcohol. Marijuana is less likely to be addictive, cause Car Accidents and birth defects. Less likely to cause domestic violence. How do you rationally say that its okay to drink alcohol with that profile, but its not okay to occasionally use marijuana . How do you do that, pierre . I spent time doing research and talking to Law Enforcement officials, one thing they point out is this is not your daddys marijuana. The marijuana today is three times more powerful with the thc, the active ingredient. Theyre concerned about the effect on younger people. Thats one of the things they are concerned about. And they say you have to look at how is the legal system going to adjust to accommodate this. You saw with the state trooper. Theres no way to test for it on the highway. And i want to bring that to ricardo. Youre on the ground with the marijuana beat in colorado. And it is unprecedented. I have to ask you the first question you always get, do you use it . I do. I use it both medically and recreationally. Okay. And then what are you seeing on the ground . I was most struck by one of your observations. You can smell the difference . Thats if denver and boulder . You can. If you went back a couple years in the metro area and took a big whiff in downtown denver, downtown boulder, it would have been your average city. At a broncos game, you can smell the difference. We were at the Justin Timberlake concert, and you could smell it there. Of course, its been everpresent at concerts for decades. Whats the biggest challenge . It comes down to keeping it out of kids hands. But also keeping it from crossing state lines. When that Justice Department memo came out saying colorado, washington, go for it but were watching you. We have to Pay Attention to those bits and pieces that are very important. You are part of the campaign in Washington State to legalize it. And we are seeing it in other states as well. Oregon, alaska, california, they dont know when. And nationwide, the conversation has changed from does it make sense for us to continue treating this like a criminal matter, to how can we do this in a responsible way, where were not only focusing on keeping it out of kids hands, but also providing kids proactive information to make better choices. The president made the powerful argument, tried to clarify, its just not fair that youre a young africanamerican kid, youre going to get a far harsher sentence than someone else. But doesnt that leave to the argument, why not just stop at decriminalization, why not legalize it . I think the concern with stopping with decriminalizing, we have to address the black market. Kids are going to get marijuana thats threetimes as strong with thc. Thats outside of regulation. We need regulation, licensing and standards. And the other counterargument, and pot may be no worse than alcohol, but once you get a whole lot of money and marketing behind it, we have seen it with cigarettes and alcohol. The kids will use it earlier and earlier, and potentially get hooked. And i think that is one area there has to be focus on regulation. And look closely at what happens in colorado and Washington State and learn from that experience. I do worry about kids using this. And we have to be clear in this that its not a signal saying its okay for kids to smoke pot. But i know in the community we live in, kids are smoking pot without this. And hopefully bringing it away from the black market and out in the open, were able to get those messages through. Is that signal being sent in colorado . Do you feel that . Its definitely being sent. And rich makes a good point, this is in middle schools and high schools. Its everywhere. But the education process is very serious. I know the state has been making inroads in high schools and going out and having conversations. And we take our job responsibly in terms of educating the public too. This is a strong product. You know, start with you write about that. I do. Yeah, yeah. We have written multiple times about the strength of it and good amounts. Its good to start if youre new with 5 milligrams of an edible. Its a solid way of measuring the amount of pot that youre about to ingest. George, one of the things that struck me is when you start to look at the marijuana, americans have had a love afire with marijuana. Look at the black market. They are trucking it into the country my the hundreds of tons. I went to a secret location where the government disposes of it, and its by the forklift. Its incredible. Its tough to keep it out of the hands of kids. It is. Right now its hard to keep alcohol out of the hands of kids and marijuana, and we need to do a better job around that. A lot of that comes down to parenting. Education in schools one thing, but it comes down to what are you saying at home and what examples are you setting . But in doesnt change that. The fact that its illegal now, kids are using this, its rampant. Saying its legal for adults to use that is a rational approach. That is all we have time for. I wish we had more time. I want you to come back. Thank you very much. Dr. Besser will follow up with a twitter chat. Thats tuesday. All the details on abcnews. Com health. And the tribute to an american hero. And Martha Raddatz looks at his determination and the debts we share after a decade of war. Of war. Far and away the high point of tuesdays state of the union, that powerful ovation for Sergeant Cory remsburg. So badly injured in his tenth tour in afghanistan. And after ten years of war, he is just one in a generation of young men and women who refused to be defined by their sacrifice. Here is martha rad dats with those stories and their lesson for us. Reporter in the Divisive Political arena, a moment of clarity. Sergeant First Class Cory Remsburg never gives up and he does not quit. Reporter the young army rangers incredible will and unbreakable spirit, like so many other veterans i have met, who never give up. There is Lieutenant Colonel tim carcher. Like everything in iraq, it changes. Reporter weeks after this patrol in iraq, he lost both legs and nearly his life. At one point i had told him it was okay if he needed to let go. I could do it. Reporter today, he is standing tall on prosthetic legs and still working hard in the army. And lieutenant mark little, who i was with minutes after he lost his legs, incredibly in good humor, joking with doctors. My moms gonna kick my ass reporter he got prosthetic legs and married his true love and is now raising money for wounded warriors. Its just the way i am. Its easier to smile than cry, and you dont accomplish anything by complaining. Reporter mark, tim, cory, and their families are all a reminder of those who are good and strong and courageous in our country. We love heros, and we love home comings. Like the one you will see tonight during the super bowl. Welcome home, justin. This is all for you. Are you serious . Get out of here. Reporter this will be the year of so many reunions, as our longest war, afghanistan, comes to an end. A new focus for our country, taking care of our returning veterans and those already here. How does it feel to be home . Unbelievable. Reporter even when the parades, the speeches, are over, that is when we should really remember. For this week, Martha Raddatz, abc news, washington. So we must. And now some welcome news from afghanistan. The pentagon did not announce any deaths of any Service Members overseas this week. Thats all for us today. Thanks for sharing part of your sunday with us. Check out world news with david muir tonight. And ill see you tomorrow on gma. Muir tomorrow. Ill see you tomorrow on gma. In the news, a fouryearold girl is found dead in her bed. Why authorities are searching for gleans. More winter oar an early spring . Punxsutawney phil emerges for his groundhog day appearance. Its more winter. Here the view from mt. Tam where this picture does not tell the whole story. We have rain, thunderstorms, snow, all in your sunday forecast. [ female announcer ] wherever morning brings you, bring the energy you need. Nature valley sofed oatmeal squares. Softly baked, made with hearty oatmeal and a drizzle of cinnamon. Theyre nature valleys take on a morning classic. Because when you keep going, the morning can bring you to brandnew places. Nature valley. Nature at its most delicious