Jake from State Farm's blog: "War On Drugs"

We are witnessing a widening of the War on Drugs. The enemy -- organized crime, particularly the Mexican Drug Cartel -- is following a Scorched Earth Policy, literally.

Trying to contain marijuana use by criminalizing it is an utter failure. Pot's recreational use has remained steady; its medical use is skyrocketing in the 13 states where it is allowed. The only ones making out like bandits are the bandits -- in this case the "banditos".

And now, the banditos are not only reaping fortunes (not to mention the criminal chaos along the Mexican-American border which has claimed hundreds of lives) but they are burning down our dwindling supply national and state forests.

Ironically, this latest catastrophe is taking place in the very state that stands to be most enhanced by decriminalizing marijuana. California, our most cash-strapped state, could reap enormous income by taxing cannabis cultivation.

To Californians and all who cherish our natural wilderness: It's time to reap taxes from reaping marijuana, not scorch our forests where the banditos roam.