Ron Paul wants to re-institute state's rights. This means a lot of really bad things for anyone living outside of California. The things he says sound nice until you get to the nuts and bolts of his policies and their repercussions.
To the OP, I think its great that Washington is taking another step towards legalization, but yeah, it will take a while to get the laws written fairly and thoughtfully.
Also, why all the hyperbole about Obama? You guys sound like Fox News. The world isn't ending, no one is "fucked". Presidents are over-rated anyways, its all about people power. If you're expecting a president to do anything but listen to public opinion and/or donors, you've lost the political battle from the get-go.
Just my 2c