A binder showing high-grade marijuana buds and other cannabis for sale at Coffeeshop Blue Sky in Oakland, Calif. Dispensary owner Richard Lee sees the Oakland tax proposal as a step toward the legalization of marijuana. AP

Morning Edition, June 30, 2009 · In today's economy, it's hard to find anyone who really wants to pay higher taxes. That is, unless they happen to be in the business of selling medical marijuana.

Take, for example, Richard Lee, the proprietor of the Coffeeshop Blue Sky, where anyone with a doctor's note can buy products much more relaxing than a jolt of java. How about 1/8 ounce of high-grade medical marijuana? That's $40 for the cannabis and $4 in sales tax.