There were some potentially interesting and concerning admissions on CNN Monday night when Wolf Blitzer said he thought he could identify a marijuana plant by its smell, and Lou Dobbs followed by saying he could recognize it "rather readily" by sight.

Unfortunately, neither mentioned whether or not they inhaled.

Somewhat comically, Dobbs, speaking with Blitzer and Jessica Yellin during the 6PM edition of "The Situation Room," seemed more concerned about the career implications of this incident for them than for himself (video embedded below the fold with partial transcript, h/t Mediaite): 

JESSICA YELLIN, CNN NATIONAL POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Oh, yes. On more. And this is our favorite from our favorite quotation category.

Here we go. Congressman Barney Frank says he would not be able to recognize a marijuana plant because "he's not a great outdoorsman."

You ask, why would a Congressman bring that up?

Well, it turns out the Massachusetts Democrat was on hand when his partner was arrested for pot possession back in 2007. The "Boston Globe" reports Frank was on the front porch of James Ready's home in Maine when police found marijuana plants in the backyard. Now, Frank says he did not see the plants and he wouldn't know what they were anyway.

Who knew that only outdoorsy types know a marijuana plant when they see it?

So, Wolf, would you know a marijuana plant if you saw one?

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: I'm not sure -- I -- I -- I'm not sure I would know. If I could smell it, I think I'd know what it smelled like. But I'm not sure...

YELLIN: How would you know what it smells like?

BLITZER: Let's check in with Lou Dobbs.

He's got a lot more on this story coming up, I'm sure, at the top of the hour.

You can smell marijuana, Lou. But you probably wouldn't recognize a plant.

Am I right or wrong?

LOU DOBBS, HOST, "LOU DOBBS TONIGHT": Well, you're dead wrong. I would recognize it rather readily.

BLITZER: Oh, good.

DOBBS: And I think that we've got to give Barney Frank great credit for -- I love the fact that he said that he's not an outdoorsman. I mean that's funny as it can be.

Wolf, thanks a lot.

And, by the way, you and Jessica, I think, got out of that just in time to save both your careers.

Interestingly, this was the second time in eighteen months that Blitzer's familiarity with marijuana came up on "The Situation Room," as last May he had the following discussion with Jack Cafferty (video available here):

JACK CAFFERTY: Did you ever smoke, Wolf?

BLITZER: No, not really. I tried it in high school. I didn't like it.

CAFFERTY: How about marijuana and stuff?

BLITZER: No. Well, you know, you're getting into the sensitive areas.

CAFFERTY: I think we should release your medical records.

BLITZER: You know what, thank God, I'm OK.

Jack, thanks very much.

CAFFERTY: Good-bye.

Does he or doesn't he?

Maybe only his hairdresser knows for sure.

Granted, this exchange might seem trivial.

However, there is a push towards illicit drug legalization in America. Many believe California will legalize marijuana in short order. 

As CNN.com reported in July, there is a drive in the Golden State to get a marijuana legalization proposition on the 2010 ballot. 

With this is mind, a couple of middle-aged, high-profile CNN anchors matter-of-factly discussing what marijuana plants look and smell like adds to the ongoing desensitization of the public towards "casual" drug use.

Those against legalization should find such casual discussions by prominent media figures concerning.  

—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.