State Representatives Introduced a Bill to ‘Regulate and Tax’ Marijuana [POLL]

State Rep. Diane Russell (D-Portland) and Rep. Aaron Libby (R-Waterboro) introduced their bill titled ‘Act to Tax and Regulate Marijuana’ at a press event on Thursday, Feb. 21.

“When it comes to keeping marijuana away from teens, keeping marijuana in an unregulated underground market is the worst possible policy,” Rep. Russell said. “Instead, marijuana should be sold by legitimate, taxpaying businesses in a tightly regulated market.”

If state lawmakers approve the bill this season, Maine will become the third state in the nation to legalize marijuana.

Similar bills have been introduced in Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and other states. Currently the use and sell of marijuana is only legal in Colorado and Washington.

‘The Act to Tax and Regulate Marijuana’ outlines several key points:

 ‘removes criminal penalties for private possession and home-growing of limited amounts of marijuana for adults 21 and older;’

         ‘enacts an excise tax of $50 per ounce on wholesale sales, of which 10% of the revenue will be used for implementation of the law, 10% will be used for substance abuse treatment and prevention programs, 5% will be used for research on the effects of marijuana, and the remaining 75% will be directed to the state’s general fund;’

 ‘allows localities to ban marijuana businesses.’
Under the bill it would remain illegal to use marijuana in public or drive under the influence of marijuana.

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