Legalization with regulation and taxation. Regulation would be to ensure that the product is not adulterated (ok, so the tobacco industry doesn't abide by that, but the cannabis industry should!), and that it is of high quality.*

icedogs: it's possible that could happen. but since this is hypothetical, i would add on that regulation includes that no adulterants are present.

Taxation is fine - it's not like everyone thinks, where it's going to be the same or more expensive than it is in the black market. The prices will still most likely be lower than the black market prices. However, of course you will have strains being sold that are like the greygoose of cannabis, which would be expensive. But all the bud would be good in general.

Just think of how many more awesome strains you would be able to get, due to it being legal. Think about being able to buy hash at a headshop, and buy some amazing bud there, too. The supply of cannabis would be through the roof, and therefore prices would not be insane, like they are in the black market.

I also think people should be able to grow their own, if they want. Afterall, not everyone will do it. Lots of people will still buy it in headshops and other places that would sell it.

Think about being able to buy clones, or seeds, locally... without being scared of the police.

Decriminalization would obviously be the first step, but the big picture is about legalization. I don't see why some people want to just stop at decriminalization. You still want to mess around with drug dealers who could possibly rip you off, or spray sugar or salt, or something on your bud? Or the rare occassion of lacing it with PCP? No quality control, etc. Plus with the concept of decriminalization, you would still get a ticket from a police officer for having possession of cannabis. That's money that you have to pay. With legalization, there is no ticket that you can get for possession of weed, and no jail time, or anything. You're free to possess it, without any problems!

I think some people only support "decriminalization only" because of the tax issue. When, in fact, prices will still be lower than if it was decriminalized or criminalized. I think the many benefits of legalization would outweigh decriminalization. In fact, I don't see any benefits of decriminalization other than the fact that you would not get arrested for possession of cannabis. But you would be ticketed...