Julian Brookes

At least some able-bodied Americans may soon be able to score a bag of weed legally without having to fake a knee injury. In November, voters in three states could approve ballot measures to legalize marijuana, and not just for medical purposes – for getting-high purposes. Then again, they might chicken out, like California voters did in 2010. But sooner or later, and probably sooner, a state will go green. About half of America will be fine with that.

When even a federal judge appointed by Ronald Reagan calls the criminalization of marijuana "absurd," you know we've come a long way from "Just Say No." As many as three states could vote to legalize pot this November, and not just for medical purposes – for straight-up getting high purposes. There’s always the chance they'll chicken out, like California voters did in 2010. But sooner or later, and probably sooner, a state will go green.

Over the past week, msnbc.com has published “The State of America,” a series culminating in President Barack Obama’s 2015 State of the Union Address on Tuesday, Jan. 20. This is the state of the issues you care about, as told by organizations promoting social change and other policy experts.