Legalize it

   In this era in American history, money is the biggest issue. States are scrambling to cut corners and the federal government has spent more money than the past 11 administrations put together.  What are we going to do?  Smoke more weed.
  The California chapter of the National Organization of Marijuana Reform Laws estimates retail sales on the legal market would range from $3 billion - $4.5 billion, generating another $240 million - $360 million in sales tax, just in the state of California. On a national level, the number would be huge. Recession? What recession?
  The price tag on the "war on drugs" has been like a stoner eating potato chips. They eat it all and still want more.  The legalization — or at least full decriminalization — would save over $170 million in law enforcement costs, which would be nice considering the recent state-mandated layoffs of thousands of cops in California.
  The jobs that would be provided by farmers, manufacturers, and retail would help curb the current unemployment rate, and would add new contributors to the U.S. economy. Initially, it may be expensive to regulate new marijuana laws, but once established, the profit and tax revenues collected will be well worth it.
   As America enters a new era of change, we are becoming more accepting of issues once regarded as unacceptable. The medicinal benefits of cannabis are proven, and the economic gain that could be provided by legalization is obvious. America is in a phase of change, so it is about time we consider the reform of marijuana laws and legalize it once and for all.