Let's talk about weed.

It looks like California's referendum on the legalization of marijuana is going to pass. Proposition 19 would allow people 21 and older to grow up to 25 square feet of marijuana and possess up to an ounce, and authorizes cities and counties to approve commercial cultivation, retail sales and taxation.

Prop 19 has huge support among younger voters and now has a well funded campaign. If it passes in California, then other states are going to quickly follow. It's not clear how the federal government is going to handle law enforcement in these free-pot states.

I'm agnostic on this issue. Pretty much anybody I know who wants to get weed, can get weed. I'm not sure that legalization of pot is going to change drug use patterns. It will probably make pot cheaper and safer. It could take the organized crime out of the distribution side of things. It will certainly raise a lot of tax revenue for the state. I would like to see it implemented in California as a policy experiment.

It's interesting how so many policies are originating in California these days. Policies can go viral, too.

Question of the Day: Will the legalization of pot lead to more positive or more negative outcomes?