cannabisnews.com: Bill Introduced To Legalize and Tax Marijuana
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Bill Introduced To Legalize and Tax Marijuana
Posted by CN Staff on January 26, 2011 at 10:17:49 PT
By Joanna Nolasco, Seattle Times Olympia Bureau
Source: Seattle Times 
Seattle, WA -- As a 64-year-old woman with a grandchild, state Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson, D-Seattle, says she's not the type of person you would normally associate with marijuana. And yet Dickerson has again introduced legislation that would legalize, regulate and tax marijuana in Washington state."I believe that it's a smart way to raise badly needed revenue," said Dickerson, who chairs the House Health and Human Services Appropriations and Oversight Committee. "It also would at the same time mean that we can focus our law-enforcement efforts on more important things."
House Bill 1550, filed Tuesday, would regulate marijuana much like alcohol. It proposes that pot be sold through state liquor stores to adults age 21 and older, that the sales be taxed and that the state Liquor Control Board issue licenses to commercial growers. Most of the revenue would go to health care, and substance-abuse treatment and prevention.The bill would also classify as felonies interstate transportation of marijuana and unauthorized transportation of marijuana within Washington above a certain amount.Dickerson proposed a similar bill last year, but it failed in a House committee.New provisions in this year's bill include authorizing the production of industrial hemp and allowing limited growing of marijuana at home for personal use.The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington state supports the bill.Rep. Christopher Hurst, D-Enumclaw, chairman of the House Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee, said he is willing to hold a hearing on the bill and to put it to a committee vote.Hurst noted, however, that the bill runs counter to federal laws prohibiting marijuana sales.Proponents say $400 million each biennium would be raised through cannabis sales and licensing fees. Hurst, however, said federal laws would prevent the state from keeping the money."That being said, I think states should regulate marijuana as opposed to the federal government," Hurst added.Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Renton, plans to introduce a companion bill to Dickerson's proposal in the state Senate.Source: Seattle Times (WA)Author:  Joanna Nolasco, Seattle Times Olympia BureauPublished: January 26, 2011Copyright: 2011 The Seattle Times CompanyContact: opinion seatimes.comWebsite: http://www.seattletimes.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/QMJoWZOxCannabisNews  -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml
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Comment #5 posted by Canis420 on January 26, 2011 at 15:10:11 PT:
Request from LEAP and firedog lake
Marijuana reform is dominating the list of questions President Obama will be answering as part of his continued State of the Union address tomorrow night. Pot is already in the top questions - can you make sure the top questions for Obama are about marijuana?This is an incredible opportunity to hear Obama's views on drug policy. Our friends at Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) have a great question at the top of the list, and we're asking supporters to help keep it there for Obama to see.Click here to visit the Ask Obama YouTube page. Then search for "POLICE OFFICER" on the right, and click the thumbs up button of the marijuana question to cast your vote.Retired Deputy Sheriff and LEAP speaker MacKenzie Allen asks:"As a police officer, I saw how waging the war on drugs has cost a trillion dollars and thousands of lives but does nothing to reduce drug use. Should we discuss legalizing marijuana and other drugs, which would eliminate the violent criminal market?"It's an important question that we think Obama should answer. Can you help us make sure he does by giving LEAP's question a 'thumbs up'?
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on January 26, 2011 at 14:58:06 PT
Campaign To Legalize MJ Relights at Both Ends
By Michael van Baker January 26, 2011 Today, Sensible Washington traveled to Olympia to try, try again, and file an initiative to legalize marijuana for adult use in Washington state. "Please be mainstream in your dress and appearance," their blog urges supporters. Last year, I-1053 came in about 50,000 signatures short of qualifying for the ballot. The group was also criticized for "leaving out" regulatory concerns.URL: http://thesunbreak.com/2011/01/26/campaign-to-legalize-marijuana-relights-at-both-ends
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Comment #3 posted by Canis420 on January 26, 2011 at 13:21:53 PT:
comment 1
What a toad stool...as in a toads bowel movement 
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on January 26, 2011 at 13:11:53 PT
RevRayGreen
Wow that's low!
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Comment #1 posted by RevRayGreen on January 26, 2011 at 12:32:01 PT
FOM hot off the Iowa Presses
http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2011/01/26/impeach-state-who-rep-lied-for-pot-prescription-citizens-say/#comments"A state representative from Greenfield who says he obtained a medical marijuana prescription in California under false pretenses as a way to show the flaws with such a program should be impeached for illegal acts, several citizens told lawmakers today."
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