It is time to take a moment to again reflect on just how much progress has been made on the issue of marriage equality in the last decade.

Back during the 2008 Democratic primary none of the strongest candidates supported same-sex marriage. Now with the recent endorsement of Hillary Clinton, every Democrat that is viewed as a possible top tier candidate in the 2016 Presidential primary has come out in favor of marriage equality.

The big advances for marijuana reform still tend to come during election years when initiatives are put on the ballot, but there are already some promising signs for possible legislative victories in 2013. Across the country several marijuana reform bills have been introduced in the state legislatures that either stand a decent chance of becoming law this year or will at least significantly advance the issue of reform. Hopefully, the fact the voters in Colorado and Washington State recently came out so strongly for full legalization will convince politicians across the country that the electorate wants change.

Chicago Mayor and former Chief of Staff for President Obama Rahm Emanuel (D) has asked the city council to pass a law decriminalizing simple possession of marijuana. From the Chicago Tribune.