California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger claims that there is a tremendous demand for the herb both locally and internationally but it is outlawed in most industrialized countries. By legalizing the drug, California will open itself up to billions of tourist dollars.

Currently the state offers only "medically prescribed" marijuana but most doctors agree that a patient needs no more than a hangnail to get a prescription.

"It's practically legal now" the governor stated. "I got a prescription just by telling my doctor I was feeling a little down".

Reactions to the drug legalization program were mixed. Hollywood film director John Holowach, responsible for the documentary High: The True Tale of American Marijuana said, C'mon, everyone smokes it. Even my dear old grandma. Let's legalize it, smoke some pot, get high and pull the state out of bankruptcy!"

Not everyone interviewed were as enthusiastic about the plan. San Fransisco drug dealer Reggie Swanson said, "the state is trying to out me out of business! I'm getting over $400 an ounce right now but I'll have to cut prices just to compete!"

Governor Schwarzenegger claimed that legalization would take the production and distribution of marijuana out of the hands out of "dirty Mexicans" and put it in the hands of hard working Americans thus creating thousands of new agricultural jobs

The Obama administration vowed to "not let California get away with this" and said it would send federal agents in to curtail the program,

The California legislature said that if the president tries to intervene the state would retaliate by seceding from the Union and would start a civil war if necessary.