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By Humberto Sanchez Posted at 5 a.m. on Sept. 10

Marijuana in Terrapin Care Station, a marijuana dispensary, in Boulder, Colo. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

BOULDER, Colo. Long a flashpoint in the culture wars, marijuanas growing legitimacy hasnt yet turned it into a political weapon, even in the marquee races in the first state to legalize the drug.

In Colorado, the issue has barely gotten a mention as Rep. Cory Gardner takes on Democratic Sen. Mark Udall, and Republican Rep. Mike Coffman faces a challenge from Andrew Romanoff in one of the countrys hottest House races.

For now, the lawmakers still seem to find pot too hot to handle as a political weapon. Republicans in the state have shifted how they talk about the matter, but Democrats arent trying to capitalize on what could potentially become a new wedge issue in their favor this cycle and in elections to come.

Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia currently have legalized medical marijuana. Only Colorado and Washington have legalized recreational marijuana, but more are expected to vote on whether to change their laws, including Oregon and Alaska in November, as polls have shown surging support for legalization.

Udall, whose race could decide control of the Senate, said marijuana is now simply a business interest in Colorado.

We are all together in urging the attorney general to let this experiment unfold, Udall said in Greenwood Village, Colo., after an event with Denver business interests.

But he hasnt attacked Gardners hard-line record on marijuana, something advocates for legalization call a missed opportunity.

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Pot Still Too Hot to Handle for Colorado Politicians