Legalization of Marijuana

As some may have heard, Proposition 19 is on the ballot for the next general election on November 2nd for the state of California. For those of you who do not know what Prop. 19 entails, I will give an explanation here. Some top California analysts have described the effects that Proposition 19 will have if it happens to pass the vote:

Legalization of personal marijuana-related activities

Persons age 21 and older:

• May possess up to 1 ounce (28 g) of marijuana for personal consumption.
• May use marijuana in a non-public place such as a residence or a public establishment licensed for on site marijuana consumption.
• May grow marijuana at a private residence in a space of up to 25 square feet (2.3 m²) for personal use.

Local government regulation of commercial production and sale

• Local government may authorize the retail sale of up to 1 ounce of marijuana per transaction, and regulate the hours and location of the business.
• Local government may authorize larger amounts of marijuana for personal possession and cultivation, or for commercial cultivation, transportation, and sale.
• Allows for the transportation of marijuana from a licensed premises in one city or county to a licensed premises in another city or county, without regard to local laws of intermediate localities to the contrary.

Imposition and collection of taxes and fees

• Allows the collection of taxes specifically to allow local governments to raise revenue or to offset any costs associated with marijuana regulation.

Authorization of criminal and civil penalties

• Maintains existing laws against selling drugs to a minor and driving under the influence.
• Maintains an employer's right to address consumption of marijuana that affects an employee's job performance.
• Maintain existing laws against interstate or international transportation of marijuana.
• Every person 18 years of age or older who hires, employs, or uses a minor in transporting, carrying, selling, giving away marijuana, or knowingly sells or gives away marijuana to someone under the age of 14, shall be imprisoned in state prison for a period of three, five, or seven years.
• Every person 18 years of age or older who knowingly sells or gives away marijuana to someone older than the age of 14 but younger than 18, shall be imprisoned in the state prison for a period of three, four, or five years.
• Every person 21 years of age or over who knowingly sells or gives away marijuana to someone older than the age of 18 but younger than 21, shall be imprisoned in county jail for up to six months and fined up to $1,000 per offense.
• Any person who is licensed, permitted, or authorized to sell marijuana, who knowingly sells or gives away marijuana to someone under the age of 21 results in them being banned from owning, operating, or being employed by a licensed marijuana establishment for one year.

I know this is a real hot-button issue for most. As a resident of California, I personally support this Proposition 100%, as it is extremely easy to obtain medicinal marijuana right now anyway. I see it this way; the government has lost the war on marijuana, and there is absolutely no way they will ever win. They are using police resources inefficiently by targeting a harmless drug, and persecuting harmless users. The police could be better used to target serious offenses such as violent crime. The potential to help the state receive serious amounts of tax revenue from this is astounding as well. I honestly believe that this will really stimulate the economy of California, thus creating a chain reaction throughout the other states and setting a precedent on the legality of marijuana being used as a form of recreation.

Should Cannabis be legalized? Why/why not?

Should it only be legal for medical purposes?

I'd like to know your thoughts on this.