The Battle Begins: New Mexico’s medical marijuana law took effect Sunday—and it’s picking a fight. A key provision requires the state to implement a marijuana cultivation and distribution program to supply authorized patients, and officials at the department of health have already put the wheels in motion.

Enter the federal government. If they turn a blind eye, it will set de-facto precedent that states may grow and sell pot in clear defiance of federal law. The DEA won’t stand for that. A showdown will inevitably end up before the Supreme Court.

There are essentially two possible outcomes. While I hate to bet on the opposing team, my money is on a ruling terminating the pot program. That would send a sobering message to the public that federal drug laws trump local laws—even though, legally speaking, the laws for patients would be no worse than they are now (medical marijuana is legal in certain states as long as patients don’t grow so much pot they get prosecuted in federal court). But even if New Mexico loses, watching two government bodies publicly duking it out over how to distribute marijuana to the sick and dying will draw a lot of attention. In the other scenario, a ruling in New Mexico’s favor would have enormous implications. If they establish a model for authorized patients to legally obtain marijuana without risk of federal prosecution in that state—they create a pot distribution model for every state. In other words, the battle for medical marijuana would be won.

Sticky Slope: Study shows medical pot laws have no effect on pot usage rates.

Rocky High: Restrictions for Colorado pot growers briefly suspended.

Great Breaks: Wisconsin town decriminalizes pot possession.

Trojan Horse: Oregon “crime fighting” initiative would repeal medical marijuana law.

Shirk the Third: Little Gore out on bail.