"High" Demand

As the chart above shows, there is high demand for marijuana. The demand is evidenced by the amount of dispensaries (weed clinics) that have popped up in California. Los Angeles alone has more dispensaries than Starbucks'.

What does growing acceptance and high demand for marijuana mean for California?
Lots of tax revenue, if it actually gets legalized. California Assemblyman, Tony Ammiano says it would bring in $1.4 billion dollars in taxes. Not to mention the money it would save from excessive preventative enforcement and the countless jobs it would create.

Pot reform could be answer to California cash crisis

In the last year California has been hit hard by the current economic crisis. It has gotten so bad that the state has turned to unorthodox ways to raise/save money. In August the state threw a "garage sale," partly in response to an announcement earlier this year by the state Controller that tax revenue fell short of expectations by $2.1 billion and expects next year's tax revenue would fall short by $8 billion. California is hurting for cash and it's doing anything to try to stay above water. Even issuing state vendors $1 billion in IOU's. So what's the answer???

In my opinion the answer is to LEGALIZE MARIJUANA.

According to Fortune Magazine the percentage of people who responded 'yes' when asked if marijuana should be legal has almost reached 40%. Even our 3 latest presidents have more or less admitted to having smoked pot. When asked by a reporter asked if he had inhaled, President Barack Obama "I thought that was the point." So obviously there is growing acceptance for the once taboo substance.

Bi-Partisan Support for Marijuana Legalization

I am a graduating senior at Chapman University, an aspiring law student, and an advocate for the reform of marijuana laws. My goal with this blog is to change the attitudes of people still on the fence of this issue, as well as address those who are completely against it.

I would also like to specifically address Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. He has experienced decreased popularity – rating under 40% – after struggling to fix California’s budget woes. Now as he reaches the crossroad of his political career, I believe it is time that he embraces his inner stoner, and the sentiments of the majority of his young constituents.

Instead of giving ambiguous answers when asked his opinion on the legal reform of marijuana, the former marijuana user should say what we all know is on his mind….

A bill has been introduced into the California State Legislature by Democrat Tom Ammiano to legally buy, sell, grow, and tax marijuana. Bill 390 would be a major boost to the state’s economy; I believe Schwarzenegger should publicly support this measure. What better way for him to rebuild his reputation than by encouraging bi-partisan support for a measure to fix our state’s budget?