NP: Chivas USA vs. Los Angeles Galaxy

Between it's reputation for liberal politics and it's massive budget crisis, I'm not surprised that California is leading the push towards legalization (and, obviously, taxation) of marijuana.

This strikes me as fundamentally different than other wedge issues for one important reason. Opposition to drugs is a strongly-held belief for a lot of people, but it's not written in the Bible or the Constitution or the Bill of Rights. You might even argue that the basis for that belief is dubious for a number of reasons, depending on how you feel about pot versus alcohol, or the idea that marijuana is only illegal because the cotton industry felt threatened by hemp. Of course, if you're Bill Maher, you find the basis of all of these issues to be dubious, but I digress.

The point is that the relatively softer opposition might be persuaded by a compelling argument, and the state budgets in some states -- particularly California -- could become increasingly compelling. If it gets framed as legalizing pot or closing schools, I just think many people might reconsider their stance. There's still the issue of how the federal government deals with it, but as I think I've said before on even the more deeply-held beliefs, big issues like this seem to be better handled by the states until they reach a "critical mass" that requires national legislation. And that "states rights" approach might appeal to some of that soft opposition as well.

Anyway, it will be an interesting story to watch. Particularly for the snack food industry.