The legalization of marijuana is a controversial topic.  One positive aspect of the debate was pointed out in a recent Washington Post piece http://wapo.st/14bcRyj (which contains several links to the underlying studies).

“There is a strong minority in each party that breaks with its side’s dominant view – which does not happen on public issues as often as it used to. Thus do 37 percent of both conservatives and Republicans favor legalization. Thus do 39 percent of Democrats and 25 percent of liberals oppose it.”

Here is a benefit I would never have expected.  Anything that creates allies across the toxic red/blue line in American politics can’t be bad.