California lawmakers finally passed Assembly Bill 390, the Marijuana Control, Regulation, and Education Act by a 4-3 vote. Assemblyman Tom Ammiano from San Francisco introduced the bill, and will be pushing for it to be on this year's upcoming public ballot. This is the first time in US history that a bill that seeks to legalize cannabis has passed any legislative body.

"This is a significant vote because it legitimizes the quest for debate, legitimizes the quest for discussion," Ammiano said. "This is far from over. Not only did we get it out of (the) public safety (committee), but members are now willing to say, yes, this is worthy of discussion."

Advocates hailed the narrow passage of the bill — it was approved by the Assembly Public Safety Committee on a 4-3 vote — as a major breakthrough that will lead to a national legalization movement

The bill would place a $50 fee on each ounce of marijuana sold to pay for drug education and treatment. Board of Equalization Chairwoman Betty Yee, who has endorsed the bill, said legalization would raise $1.4 billion in state revenues.