Should Michigan change Marijuana Laws?

If the state of Michigan wants to save money, they could consider following the lead of California and decriminalize the possession of marijuana in small amounts.  California decriminalized the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana in January 2011.  One of the major reasons for signing the legislation was that it saved the State the cost of paying court appointed lawyers to represent people charged with simple possession. However, the State of California still makes possession of a small amount a civil infraction. Thus, they collect a civil fine for the possession with no criminal record or conviction to the violator. Nevertheless, there are many people that completely disagree with California and oppose their new law. For now, Michigan still makes possession a misdemeanor crime.