"Legalize marijuana and take all that money and invest it in teachers and in education," Santana said in an interview this week. "You will see a transformation in America."

Although the president recently brushed off a recent online question about the decriminalization of marijuana, Santana says it's a decision that's "really way overdue, like the prohibition with the alcohol and stuff like that."

"I really believe that as soon as we legalize and decriminalize marijuana we can actually afford a really good governor," said Santana, "who won't keep taking money away from education and from teachers and send him back to Hollywood where he can do 'D' movies and we can get an 'A' governor."

Santana's last comment is a clear reference to former movie action hero and current California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The guitarist made his remarks as he was promoting his upcoming residency in Las Vegas at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The show debuts 27 May and runs through 2010.