I've been saying this for months.  But the LPOE thing is just a frame of reference.  Marijuana should be legalized because it is the right thing to do.

I reject notions of "decriminalizing" marijuana.  What Colorado is talking about is pot that is grown, marketed and sold in the state itself, it is regulated, and, very importantly, taxed.  (Although I think the funds should just go into the general fund, not earmarked). 

What affect would this have on the LPOE?  We don't know.  The LPOE has been around Duluth for as long as I can remember, and I can remember back pretty far.  During that time it has always been considered unsavory by the upright citizens brigade-types.  I don't think that legalizing pot would end the LPOE, nothing will.  It's an institution and it's here for good.  Kinda like the mercury in the bottom of all our lakes and rivers.  

Among the many benefits to legalization would be that (I think) there would be less demand for that poisonous synthetic stuff. And manufacturers could quit playing the "spin the active ingredient bottle" game that they have been doing.  The active ingredient will be marijuana. Period.

Digit3 raises a valid point on the price point consideration.  I had not thought of that.  However, the example of Apple's I-tunes store leaps to mind.  In the Napster days of the wild-wild late 1990s people thought that the record industry was over.  That was partly correct, but downloads from I-Tunes, followed by Google music, and Amazon, etc. do rake in some serious coin from people like me who want to get music fast, get it clean, and ensure quality control.  I can imagine something similar with pot.  People who want locally grown, sustainably harvested (ie without the bloodshed of Mexican cartels on their hands), and with good quality control.  People could be brewing beer, fermenting wine and distilling alcohol at home now and selling it on the black market, too.  But there doesn't seem to be a real problem with that today. There was during alcohol prohibition.  

I'm formulating a belief that the MN Legislature should use it's leverage with an all-DFL line-up not to hammer through a divisive tax bill or even same sex marriage but instead should grow its political capital and MN revenue streams, (not to mention small farmers) by legalizing pot.  If the world doesn't end then in two years they can pursue that other stuff.  Like I said, it's still a strategy that I am formulating, maybe it's a big waste of time.

Clarification Meb,

I think that if pot were legalized that it might very likely be something that way more people than now grow at home.  However, they are less likely to be selling it on the black market if the black market dries up.  I think that home brewed beer and wine and homegrown pot is a great way for people to enjoy those hobbies.  Buying pot from drug dealers and the dealers themselves and the cartels and gangs that manage distribution networks are my big issue with the illegal pot trade.