for you all arguing price change...
common sense says that once something is made legal the price will go down, because it wont be on the black market, wont have any legal risks envolved, and will be easier to obtain. theres no way a plant can actually cost more ounce for ounce than gold, its just a rediculous artificially inflated price because of the black market.
with that being said, theres no way it costs even close to $5 for a pack of cigs(just an average price), or even a $1 for that matter. but because of the health issues, the government has taxed it to make it more expensive. if the government and general population legalizes weed, a big idea is to tax it because it will gain revenue for struggling economies/govts. what will affect price change is really how much the government decides to tax it. on the east coast its obvious price will drop, but for BC and western states, I really dont know. that is if its legalized.
imo im not sure whether id want it legalized or not. I mean itd be nice to save some money if the price does drop and have it be easier accessible, however im not sure I'd want the government growing my weed and rolling it up for me. you dont know what its grown with (which is the real problem with tobacco these days), where as right now as a medicine it is controlled and certain measures/inspections have to be taken to sell the product. accessability makes no difference to me, because right now my roommate goes to a dispensary and picks up my buds. so I dunno, Id be down with keeping it medicinal.