Is Weed The Answer ?

Can a one dollar tax on each joint be the answer to California's problems?

Fox News reports that three more people were found decapitated in California border city Tijuana.

But this is nothing new.

http://articles.latimes.com/2008/dec/02/world/fg-tijuana2

http://www.usborderpatrol.com/Border_Patrol740.htm

Some reports say that the legalization of Cannabis would create a 1-2.5 billion dollar windfall for the state in the form of increased tax revenue.

The same report estimates a savings on law enforcement of more than 156 million dollars.

The positive economic impact on the state would be 8-13 billion dollars.

http://www.canorml.org/background/CA_legalization.html

And now, the most newsworthy threat to Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa is seen in the form of Pro-Pot advocate Craig X Rubin.
http://www.send2press.com/newswire/2009-01-0116-002.shtml

So with breadlines forming at community outreach centers in parts of California - can the legalization of weed be the answer to slowing California's problems with crime, violence and money?
Or will this be seen as hypocritical to Afghan drug lords? (Causing more problems in the Middle-East?)
And would Big-Pharma, Big-Tobacco and the alcoholic beverage companies be pinched out of the lucrative self-medication industry?
Maybe it's time to invest in the NEW California Gold Rush.