USATODAY

Despite the growing number of states that have legalized the medicinal and recreational use of marijuana, it's still considered an illegal substance by the federal government. So what does that mean? Well for starters, it means that national legalization of the drug is likely a long way off.

In 1996, California became the first state to legalize medical marijuana. Since then, 19 other states and the District of Columbia have legalized medicinal pot use. Colorado and Washington state have legalized the recreational use of the drug.

But, distributing pot is still considered a federal offense. Watch the video below to hear national reporter Marisol Bello explain what it would take to change that (and legalize it nationwide) in her answer to this reader question.

Have a question of your own? Then send it to us. Use #askusatoday on Twitter, or e-mail askusatoday@usatoday.com.