What I was getting at A/O was that while the current pot regulations are federal jurisdiction in Canada; our Feds, compared to the US do no have an equivalent FBI/ DEA or other federal enforcement agencies therefore it is left up to the Provinces to administate the regulations. BC made the rational decision not to punish smokers rather go after larger criminal organisations and heavier chemicals.
Were the compassion clubs in California not legislated by the state but then raided by the DEA a federal organisation?
In Vancouver a couple of years ago, I was told to put out my cig on a Starfucks patio while people were puffing on fatties at two of the other tables. Thier logic, smoking cigarettes at a food establishment comes with a 250.00 fine for the establishment, smoking pot might only get the user a 65.00 fine. This is well beyond the early 90's where I had to hide out in back allies to puff on a joint and ANY pot would drop you in a room at the concrete hotel.
I believe a similar tolerance in the US would go a long way to relieve the current problem but the taxation/ regulation argument is typically put forward by the mainstream lobby groups as an enticement for the political mainstream. Here in Canada the Fed govenment under Pig Harper actually wants to impose Texas style anti-drug policy even as Texas is repealing the laws and declared the approach a catastraphic failure; even sending their head law makers/ police to Canada to warn Harper against such a approach. (Thank you, Texas)
While I did make an argument against taxation, the simple reality is 'by all means necessary' does not mean grabbing a gun; it means whatever steps you need to take are justified in the long run provided that they are always towards greater freedom. Use whatever tool you wish to push for the legalisation of pot and freedom of those serving long time for a petty crime.

"A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history. "
"As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world as in being able to remake ourselves."