The world is changing. The legalization of marijuana is in full swing in the United States. With the legalization of medical marijuana in California on November 5, 1996, the United States moved forward in its movement toward full legalization (mbc.ca.gov). Today, with 21 states, plus Washington, D.C., having their medical marijuana legalization laws in full force, and Colorado and Washington having legalized the recreational use of marijuana, the United States is on the path to full legalization (whitehouse.gov). Legalizing cannabis in the United States will provide the state and federal governments with increased tax revenue, save money and resources in the war on marijuana, and most importantly, benefit the population of many manners. The most widely discussed benefit of cannabis legalization is the tax revenue that can be gained at the state and federal level. With the legalization and sale of cannabis throughout the United States, local, state and federal governments will be able to generate millions, if not billions of dollars each year, which can be used to fund schools, support communities and provide a variety of products. help in several other areas. Medical marijuana sales alone in the state of Colorado between 2011 and 2012 reached more than $219 million and brought in just under $6 million in state sales tax (colorado.gov) . In Colorado, medicinal marijuana was not subject to an excise tax, but it could still bring in about $6 million in taxes. Medical marijuana laws are still in effect in Colorado, but with the addition of recreational marijuana sales, state, local, and federal governments should be able to generate even more tax revenue (sos .state.co.us). The current... middle of paper... delighted by marijuana. " Whitehouse.gov. Np, nd Web. January 15, 2014. " Marijuana/cannabis. " Justice.gov. Np, nd Web. January 16, 2014. Press, Agence F. "Jobs, tax revenue and tourism: the first American marijuana stores open in Colorado | The Raw Story. " Rawstory.com. Np, nd Web. January 16, 2014. “Marijuana Retail License Information.” Colorado.gov. Np, nd Web. January 16, 2014. "Sales 93: Marijuana Sales Tax." Colorado.gov, nd Web. January 16, 2014. “States are working to get the most out of marijuana taxes. » Nytimes.com, nd Web, January 16, 2014. “Tobacco-related mortality.” gov. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, August 1, 2013. Web, January 16, 2014. “Uniform Crime Reports: Arrests.” » FBI.gov, August 2, 2011. Web, January 18, 2014. More money: Colorado's legal weed dealers or illegal ones?" Slate.com. Np, nd Web. January 18. 2014.