How many more lives have to be lost to cartel/gang violence surrounding the illegal sale of marijuana? How many more federal tax dollars have to squandered on an un-winnable battle? The time has come to legalize marijuana.
It was legal to consume until exorbitant fines and taxes and eventually unfair regulation was placed upon it in the same era of alcohol prohibition. If alcohol is considered safe enough to consume under federal regulation, then the same can be said of marijuana. There are as many studies that speak of the "dangers" (and benefits) of marijuana use as there are for the use of alcohol.
Lives can be saved, jobs can be created, tax revenue created, federal funds repurposed. California sees the wisdom here as they have taken steps towards this. Please legalize marijuana now.