[420 Girl]

Though organizers behind the November ballot measure to legalize marijuana gathered 700,000 signatures supporting the measure, and polls have indicated a majority of Californians want marijuana legalized, legal analysts say it’s not enough to ensure passage of what would be a historic vote.

The founder of the cannabis-centric Oaksterdam University, Richard Lee, said Wednesday that Californians are ready to legalize and tax marijuana.

“We’re gonna get our message out there and I think people are more receptive to it than they’ve ever been,” said Lee, who donated almost $1.3 million to support the measure.

Cash strapped cities are eyeing the possible revenue, for under the measure, cities and counties could adopt ordinances taxing the growth and sale of cannabis.

The state's annual pot crop is worth about $14 billion; more than one billion could start rolling in as state revenue.

“If it's going to be legal it should be taxed,” said San Francisco resident Quensella Miller.

But Jim Hammer, a legal analyst, said Thursday that even if voters approve the measure, it doesn’t mean that pot will actually be legalized in the state.

“If California voters approve it, then the fight shifts to Washington D.C.,” said Hammer. “It’s a big, big question whether or not the Obama Administration will say ‘states can legalize marijuana.’ The entire fight depends on what Washington does.”

If the "Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010" does pass, anyone over 21 years old could no longer be fined for possessing an ounce or less of pot. Also, they could grow it for themselves.

“If the feds lay off California, then legalizing pot does make sense,” said San Francisco resident Jerry Carson.

But first, voters are going to feel the pressure from both sides before they head to the polls. Gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown is against the measure as is GOP frontrunner, Meg Whitman.

Supporters of the measure said they hoped to raise as much as $20 million for advertising before Election Day.

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