Massachusetts Legalization Bill Gets Hearing – possible first!
You might have to do a double take, but marijuana’s legalization is really being discussed in a civilized, intelligent manner in Massachusetts. Here’s hoping the positive momentum continues and MA becomes the first state legalize.
A long line of Massachusetts residents lined up for an opportunity to tell their legislators to free the weed as a marijuana legalization bill got its first hearing before the legislature's Joint Revenue Committee Wednesday. The bill, H 2929, the brainchild of Northampton attorney Richard Evans, a former board member of StoptheDrugWar.org and NORML, was filed at Evans' request by Rep. Ellen Story (D-Amherst).
The bill would remove marijuana offenses from the criminal code and allow for the licensed production and sale of marijuana. Licenses would cost $2,000 a year. It would also impose excise taxes on marijuana retails sales of up to $250 for the highest THC-level weed. Less potent pot would be taxed at a lower rate.
View video of hearing from State House October 14, 2009
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