Prop 19

Conventional wisdom says tea party conservatives would vote against marijuana legalization in California. Yet Prop. 19 could test how serious tea partyers are about states' rights. Instead of opposing Prop. 19, parts of the tea party – including some of its stalwarts like Tom Tancredo in Colorado and Rand Paul in Kentucky – have hailed drug legalization as an ideological linchpin in the fight between progressivism (a broader role for government) and the ideals of states' rights (get the government out of living rooms).

It is a rare day when Hip Hip star, Snoop Dogg and the former chief of police for San Jose, Joseph McNamara agree - especially when they agree on reforming California's marijuana laws.

More Americans than not would welcome a vote by Californians to legalize marijuana, a poll released Monday says.

As Californians go to the polls Tuesday night, they won't just be deciding the future of marijuana in their state - the vote may also rattle the booming B.C. bud industry. If the law passes, B.C.'s illegal pot industry - which generates between $3 billion and $7 billion a year - could take a big hit, says Darryl Plecas, a criminology professor at B.C.'s University of the Fraser Valley.

Californians are set to vote on Proposition 19 today, which would essentially legalize recreational marijuana use in the Golden State.

The marijuana legalization campaign said volunteers had made more than 188,500 calls to voters and hoped to hook 125,000 "Yes on 19" door-hangers on the homes of likely supporters, including young male Democrats and members of the Green and Libertarian parties. The campaign's message is, win or lose, the initiative has stimulated widespread debate and shown that the nation's ban on marijuana is destined to fall.