Economy Fails, Legalize Marijuana

California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was recently asked if his state should legalize pot and tax its proceeds. His answer was sweet and simple: Let's talk about it.  Apparently, recent polls suggests 56 percent of Californians give the thumbs-up for legal marijuana use and with a state literally about to fall into the ocean, economically, well, I guess all options for recovery should be considered.

I have no problems with recreational use. I'm from the school of don't "suppress a healthy impulse".  You know, try it once or twice, and then decide if it's how you want to roll [and/or smoke it].  However, I do wonder once this debate really happens and marijuana use morphs into possible legislation then… how will one get licensed to sell?  What will happen to the kats who sell in the 'Hood and 'Burbs and gentrified condos? Will they be replaced with stay-at-home moms [a la Showtimes' Weeds] and unemployed bankers [a la unemployed bankers]?

My only real concern is that introducing a drug known for its "chill effect" into a society raked with economic anxiety seems… problematic.  Folks need to be using their recreational time putting their game plan into third and fourth gear, not chilling.  Hey, but that's just me. I like to see a black community [any community] clear-thinking and survival-ready during financial instability. Then again, this isn't about me. This is about a possible option to partially resolve California's tattered economy.

So what do you think?

Keith Josef Adkins is an award-winning playwright, screenwriter and social commentator.