In a rational world we would not be having this discussion. Everybody would own themself and begging for that right would be ridiculous.
Marijuana laws are but ONE symptom of the irrationality we must deal with.
It is very apparent we DON'T live in a rational world. I do not support taxation via extortion. I DO support self ownership and consensual exchange and voluntary relationships, where the participants, NOT a 3rd party, decide what the boundaries of self ownership are.
I see legal and tax as a LESSER evil, lesser than illegal and incarcerate, but I do not see either as a "necessary evil". There are no "necessary evils" in my book. From a practical stance, which grudgingly acknowledges where we are, as opposed to where society "should be", I would hold my nose and vote for the legalize and tax. Not because it is the best solution, it isn't, it is again the lesser of two evils. The "best" solution and government involvement in any "best" solution are oxymoronic. (If that's even a word)
The "best" solution is to simply let people own anything they choose as long as their ACTIONS harm no other.
I've worked on some bills in another state and I have to constantly remind myself, when dealing with legislators, law enforcement etc. I am not dealing with rational people, or particularly bright people for that matter. They honestly think by limiting personal liberty "society" benefits.
The substance is irrelevant, when we limit freedom, there are always unintended consequences.
There are growers / dealers that hope this bill fails because they care more about their personal gain from pot sales in an artificially inflated market caused BY prohibition, than freedom itself. How does that make them any different than cops "just doing their job" ?