VA right to OK pot use in states where it's legal

The decision by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to allow patients to use medical marijuana in the 14 states where it is legal, including Colorado, is a humane and just call.

As it stood, VA patients who followed state guidelines and legally used marijuana were at risk of being denied pain medications. That's because the VA has rules barring illegal drug use by patients who are taking pain medicine, and marijuana is still illegal under federal law.

The concern was that veterans might have to choose between the relief they find in medical marijuana and using the VA medical system.

We're glad the VA took this tack, and we think it's in keeping with the Obama administration's law enforcement policy on medical marijuana.