Taxing Marijuana As a Grand Political Bargain

Polls show support for legalizing marijuana:

Eight in 10 Americans support legalizing marijuana for medical use and nearly half favor decriminalizing the drug more generally, both far higher than a decade ago...

And a separate proposal in California to legalize and tax the drug cleared a legislative committee last week. A Field poll there in April found 56 percent support for the idea, which its backers say would raise $1.3 billion a year.

I would not be surprised if California legalizes marijuana as a grand political bargain - the state government desperately needs the money. Liberals would get legalized marijuana, conservatives would see less pressure on having taxes rise.

To learn more see:

• Should Governments Legalize and Tax Marijuana?
• Time to Legalize Marijuana? - 500+ Economists Endorse Marijuana Legalization