Economic necessity may create what supporters of marijuana legalization have been unable to attain in the past. California is not only broke, it is bankrupt and with so much of product being cultivated and sold in the state, it is the perfect way to help Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to dig himself out of the economic hole in which he finds himself.

Schwarzenegger's timing could not be more perfect for the big move. According to a Field poll, 56 percent of California voters favor legalization of pot. That is up from 22 percent in 1997. Although the federal prohibition would remain in place, Californians could put it on the ballot as early as in 2010.

California's Board of Equalization estimates that the legal sale and taxation of marijuana could bring $1.3 billion a year. Although that figure is disputed by some scholars, at this point any tax revenue would be considered worthly of considering.

Another factor that may play into Schwarzenegger's timing is slaughter that is taking place on the U.S. Mexico border as drug cartels battle for control on the lucrative marijuana trade is causing aprehension among many California citizens. Many want pot treated like alcohol or cigarettes. Since 1996, when marijuana was legalized for medical use, it has caused few major problems although anti-pot activities maintain that those have pretty much been swept under the rug.

The question that remains is that if Californians decide to legalize marijuana, will the Obama stand in their way? Advocates of legalizing pot feel that the President is so bogged down with the U.S. failing economy, he may decide that with a deepening recession and the health care debate, he may ignore the issue.