one thing working in our favor is that this is an issue without a party. dems may be backing most of the legislation, but a growing part of the right wing is also pro-pot, with ever increasing support. as someone else said on this board, weed is as American as apple pie, it just doesnt have as much legal support as apple pie. from people i have talked to in california, dems and repubs, almost everyone is in favor of legalization. one thing we need is for republicans to start showing their support for legalization to their reps in congress. i remember seeing a republican talking about the economic benefits of legalization at a political convention of some sort a couple years ago, he got booed off the stage. now, i think more ears are willing to listen.