John McKay, a former U.S. attorney in Seattle and supporter of Washington's successful marijuana legalization initiative, has asked California to reconsider its "No" vote on the issue in 2010.

Invited by the San Francisco Chronicle, McKay laid out his arguments in an oped column last week, "Marijuana legalization a state issue."

The arguments are familiar to us in Washington state, but he suggests there's an opportunity for more states to push back against outdated federal law. A group of federal lawmakers are asking the Department of Justice to respect the recent votes in Washington and Colorado, which also approved a measure legalizing the recreational use of marijuana, and a bill to that effect is expected to be introduced.

But Washington and Colorado need some allies.

McKay invites California to reconsider their 2010 decision:

The new marijuana laws in Washington and Colorado may point the way to achieving real change in California, too - and across America. Bringing the production and sale of marijuana under tight regulatory control and capturing the tax revenues will directly challenge the deadly dominance of the drug cartels and gangs.
It is now clear the states will lead the way to ending marijuana prohibition in the United States. California should be in the vanguard. Will it?