L.A. repeals its ban on pot stores

[Occulus]

23. Not quite, in the case of the Controlled Substances Act.

Per the Wiki,

Both the CSA and the treaties set out a system for classifying controlled substances in several Schedules in accordance with the binding scientific and medical findings of a public health authority. Under 21 U.S.C. § 811 of the CSA, that authority is the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Under Article 3 of the Single Convention and Article 2 of the Convention on Psychotropic Substances, the World Health Organization is that authority.

Put another way, the rescheduling of any drug is, in the US, ultimately within the power of any sitting President (or his nominee) via threatened dismissal, or other retaliation for cause, of the Secretary of HHS. "Reschedule cannabis or you are fired" is, in fact, one of the possible options, along with "I refuse to nominate anyone for the position who will leave cannabison the current schedule".

So, Obama not only CAN do something Congress cannot but, in fact, has the power to do the Most Important Thing regarding the entire issue: he has control over who the nominee is in the first place.