I think legalization now would do the country more good than if it were legalized later. For one, it could reduce the amount of violent crimes every year, because as we know, a lot of violent crimes are over illegal drugs, and weed is a BIG one. For two, it would cripple the black market. Three, it could open up new markets, provide new jobs, and grow jobs in industries we already have, could open up more sources of tax revenue for the government, if they were to treat it like alcohol and tobacco. FINALLY, it would erase the convictions and sentencing for criminals, whose only crimes were usage of marijuana and possession of marijuana, this giving them another chance at finding a job, which will contribute to the economy, so long as they don't fail a drug test if the company still screens for marijuana, even after legalization.
We need to start focusing on going after VIOLENT criminals. It would save the law enforcement SO MUCH MONEY, it's ridiculous. I am talking BILLIONS of dollars in arrests, jail-time, etc. Seriously...
Government,
WEED = $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
LEGALIZE IT!