California’s cash crop? Photograph: Getty Images/Science Faction

A California state assemblyman from San Francisco has introduced legislation that would legalise and tax marijuana, a move he hopes will help shore up the state’s dire finances. The law, which would make California the first state to legalise marijuana, would inject an estimated $13bn a year in revenue into California’s empty coffers. “With our state in an ongoing fiscal crisis — and no one believes the new budget is the end of California’s financial woes — it’s time to bring this major piece of our economy into the light of day.” California Republicans seem to oppose the bill. “I can’t support that.” The bill is the first of its kind in California, according to Marijuana Policy Project communications director Bruce Mirken, who cites research showing that marijuana is America’s largest cash crop. President Barack Obama, who has acknowledged smoking pot in his younger years, has said he does not favour legalisation of marijuana, but has indicated he would end federal drug enforcement agency raids on medical marijuana suppliers in states that allow it. Since 1996, 13 states have enacted laws allowing marijuana use for medicinal purposes, according to the Marijuana Policy Project. Posted by Ventura chiropractor, Dr. Jamie Phillips.