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(Associated Press)

Asked by a Republican Congressman from Virginia whether legalized marijuana in Colorado and Washington has left federal drug agents "demoralized," the country's top drug enforcement official was blunt:

"Actually, it makes us fight harder," Drug Enforcement Administration chief Michele Leonhart said.

Leonhart testified Wednesday before a House Appropriations subcommittee, The Huffington Post reports. Talk turned to marijuana, reports Ryan Reilly.

Leonhart said she worries about teens being "bombarded" with a pro-pot message, Reilly reports.

"It's of great concern to us the messages we hear on television, in the radio, in songs -- and now, my fear is that kids are hearing it from their own parents," Leonhart said. "It's important to have the facts about marijuana put out there in ways that kids, teens, young adults, parents can look at it and see that what they've been sold -- that this is no big deal -- is not true."

Leonhart also implied that voters in Washington and Colorado had been misled about the benefits of legalizing marijuana. "What was explained to the voters was how much money that they'd be raising.

What was explained to the voters was that this was good for law enforcement, because then police could go after the real crimes. What was told to the voters is that this would collapse the Mexican drug cartels," she said.

Reilly reports that that Leonhart also expressed

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earlier this year when she spoke out against President Obama's comments regarding marijuana.

-- Noelle Crombie