Legalization of Marijuana makes Sense, Cents

The hot topic issue of the proposed legalization of marijuana has become an option to revive California's depleted treasury. One specific article, more of a commentary, provides positive possible effects of legalization. According to one official, the legalization of marijuana in California alone would bring in a revenue of $1.3 billion a year. The legalization would only apply to residents 21 years of age and older, and would include a licensed commercial farming of it, charging $50 an ounce. 52% of Americans are still opposed to the concept of legal marijuana, but 13 states have passed less severe laws criminalizing possession. As for current medical marijuana usage, New Jersey could become the 14th state to ratify a bill for medical usage of the drug; Illinois's bills failed last year. 530 economists, and Milton Friedman himself projected that the legalization of marijuana could cut the country's budget in $7.7 billion in reinforcement costs and bring in $6.2 in taxes!! The most interesting part of the article, and the passage which connects best to the recent discussions reads as,
"Narco violence and corruption along our border threaten to make Mexico a failed state. Drug cartels issued an ultimatum to one police chief: Resign or see your officers killed. After several were murdered, he quit. Other officials have joined the cartels. One former police chief smuggled a ton of marijuana into Texas. Cartels extort protection money from businesses and even forced teachers in one town to hand over their Christmas bonuses. Six-thousand people were killed in drug-related violence last year. The U.S. Justice Department calls Mexican gangs the "biggest organized crime threat to the United States."
Granted, the international issue with illicit crime and drug trade includes much much more than marijuana, but maybe this step could help ease some tension and provide a legal market for those who currently involve themselves in the illegal on. Maybe the legalization could open up legitimate jobs and deter those who manufacture illegal prescription drugs, etc. The author compares marijuana the alcohol in terms of "chilling out after work." Honestly, I do not stand anywhere on this issue, but both sides provide compelling arguments.