Vermont has become the latest state to see a marijuana legalization bill filed this year. House Bill 499, "An Act Relating to Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana," was introduced to the House and assigned to the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.
It would allow people 21 and over to possess up to two ounces of marijuana and grow up to three plants. The bill also legalizes the possession of pot paraphernalia. It would also "create a regulatory structure for the wholesale and retail sale of marijuana that includes licensing and oversight by the Department of Liquor Control." The bill envisages a $50 per ounce excise tax on commercial marijuana sales.
People who possess more than two ounces or three plants or who sell marijuana outside regulated commercial channels would still be subject to criminal penalties.
And the bill would allow industrial hemp production in accordance with existing state law "regardless of whether federal regulations have been adopted."
Colorado and Washington freed the weed in November, and marijuana legalization bills have been or will be introduced this year in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Oregon. A legalization bill died earlier this year in Hawaii, and one died this week in New Hampshire, but another New Hampshire legalization bill is still alive.
$50/oz. excise tax
Politicians need to be careful with Cannabis taxes . Cannabis should not be taxed at a higher rate than alcohol . It makes no sense . It will also ensure that the Mexican commercial Cannabis trade continues . The commercial business will be geared towards tourists and passers-by . Maybe those between harvests . Most citizens will grow their own . A tourists will be told that they can buy an ounce of Mexican commercial for $50/oz. or 1 ounce of store bought mid-grade for $150 . You might be able to find a local that will sell you an ounce of the " loud " for $200 . The fix is in the tax .
A step in the right direction!
It's a very positive step. Why are Prohibitionists hanging onto this morally bankrupt policy? Science has proven it to be safer than what the government currently allows!
FACT Marijuana is less addictive and less harmful than Caffeine, let alone Alcohol and Tobacco; (3 Scientific Studies)
BTW, Dr Henningfield is a former NIDA Staffer;.
Addictiveness of Marijuana - ProCon.org.
http://www.procon.org/view.background-resource.php?resourceID=1492
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