California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, when asked about the possibility of legalizing and taxing marijuana as a means to solve the state's budgetary problems, stopped short of endorsing legalization but said he wants to see debate. From the Sacramento Bee:
"Well, I think it's not time for (legalization), but I think it's time for a debate," Schwarzenegger said. "I think all of those ideas of creating extra revenues, I'm always for an open debate on it. And I think we ought to study very carefully what other countries are doing that have legalized marijuana and other drugs, what effect did it have on those countries?"
A Field poll released April 30 showed 56 percent of Californians (out of 901 polled) supporting the legalization and taxation of marijuana as a budget fix (margin of error +/-3.4 percent). Marijuana was less popular than other measures but more popular than Schwarzenegger and the state legislature combined, according to a May 1 poll by the same firm. In addition to the budget, pot legalization enjoys another political condition that has led to some support in California: the Mexican drug war.
It's time as come. The politicians/"status quo" have been "pussyfooting" around on this issue for too long, thinking that if they ignore it or continue their "just say no" propaganda it will go away. Sorry to tell you naive folks the demand is overwhelmingly there! I was there when the framework was created and campaigned for the 1996 CA Prop 215 (medical marijuana) proposition. The passage of CA law renewed my faith in grassroots democracy. I've connected patients to growers to help them with their medicinal needs and have given much money to NORML, MPP, DPF, and other drug reform lobbyists to get the Feds to "see the light". Now, it's time for the Feds to take their silly expensive "war on drugs" and shoot it in the head so to speak! I'm tired of innocent people being scapegoated as "drug criminals" and extorted of their money, possessions, and security in order to justify the existence of the DEA! Viva revolution, viva marijuana!
If you're going to legalize it, legalize it because there aren't strong reasons for it to be illegal. Don't treat it like some kind of cure for the economy - I'm betting they'll be sorely disappointed on its taxation friendliness. Are they going to legalize it but then not let you (or your friends) grow your own?