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Mizeur To Propose Legalization of Marijuana
Posted by CN Staff on November 19, 2013 at 10:02:06 PT
By John Wagner
Source: Washington Post
Maryland -- Maryland Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Heather R. Mizeur on Tuesday will propose legalizing marijuana and using the tax revenue it generates to fund pre-kindergarten education, according to an advance copy of her plan.Mizeur, a Montgomery County delegate who faces Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown and Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler in next year’s Democratic primary, proposes that Maryland regulate marijuana much like it does alcohol. She estimates that taxing the drug could yield up to $157.5 million in new revenue for the state each year.
Adults ages 21 and over would be permitted to possess up to an ounce of marijuana without violating state law under Mizeur’s plan, a copy of which was shared with The Washington Post. Smoking marijuana would not be allowed in public, and it would be illegal to drive under the influence.“Marijuana’s time as a controlled, illegal substance has run its course,” Mizeur says in her plan. “Marijuana laws ruin lives, are enforced with racial bias and distract law enforcement from serious and violent crimes. … A Maryland with legalized, regulated and taxed marijuana will mean safer communities, universal early childhood education and fewer citizens unnecessarily exposed to our criminal justice system.”Mizeur’s position comes as Maryland and other states are rethinking their posture on the criminalization of marijuana — though Maryland lawmakers have not yet shown a willingness to contemplate a plan as far-reaching as Mizeur proposes.Last November, voters in Washington state and Colorado approved initiatives to legalize, tax and regulate marijuana for those 21 and older. In her plan, Mizeur points to those states as models.During this year’s legislative session, Maryland lawmakers passed a bill authorizing distribution of marijuana for medical purposes by qualified academic centers. Legislative analysts have said it is unlikely the drug would be legally dispensed before 2016, and it remains unclear how many institutions will participate.A separate bill passed the Senate this year that would have decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana, subjecting those caught to only a civil fine of up to $100. That legislation died in the House of Delegates, however.Mizeur’s two better-known Democratic opponents reacted cautiously to word of her plan.“The attorney general recognizes that public sentiment is slowly shifting toward limited, prescribed medicinal use of marijuana and, in some states, even toward decriminalization of marijuana,” said Gansler campaign spokesman Bob Wheelock. “There does not appear to be a groundswell toward full scale legalization here in Maryland, nor does the attorney general feel that unrestrained legalization would be appropriate.”Justin Schall, Brown’s campaign manager, said Brown “welcomes a continued discussion and analysis on how decriminalizing negligible amounts of marijuana would impact the ability of our law enforcement agencies to focus on more violent crimes and criminals.”A Goucher poll released this month found that 51 percent of Marylanders support making marijuana use legal in the state, while 40 percent oppose legalization.When presented with a list of consequences for possessing small amounts of marijuana, 49 percent of residents supported policies that focus on fines, while 34 percent said they favor rehabilitation. Only 6 percent said they prefer measures that focus on jail time.Under Mizeur’s plan for legalization, marijuana would be subject to an excise tax of $50 per ounce at the point of sale between cultivators and retailers. There would also be a 6 percent sales tax and 2 percent excise tax at the point of sale.Mizeur estimates that the annual revenue generated could provide 23,675 children with a full day of pre-kindergarten.Last month, Mizeur laid out a phased-in plan that would offer full-day pre-K programs to 4-year-olds across the state. She would also ensure half-day programs are eventually available to all 3-year-olds in lower-income families.Source: Washington Post (DC) Author: John WagnerPublished: November 19, 2013Copyright: 2013 Washington Post CompanyContact: letters washpost.com Website: http://www.washingtonpost.com/ URL: http://drugsense.org/url/ddUwW0pjCannabisNews  -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml 
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on November 20, 2013 at 18:47:45 PT
John Tyler 
I agree with what you are saying.
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Comment #5 posted by John Tyler on November 20, 2013 at 18:43:49 PT
Maryland
Way to go Heather R. Mizeur. It is the wise politician who grabs this issue early and runs with it. They will succeed and look like political geniuses. I don’t agree with the $50 an oz. tax, but that can be worked on. The main thing is she is supporting legalization. The first state on the East Coast to legalize the plant will realize a huge economic windfall.I agree with the other contributors that cannabis should be referred to as a plant and not as a drug. I want to see the media change their wording. I cringe when I see it referred to as a drug. Are grapevines a plant or a drug?  
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #4 posted by FoM on November 19, 2013 at 17:36:03 PT
The GCW
Yes, Cannabis is winning and it is wonderful.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #3 posted by The GCW on November 19, 2013 at 17:28:03 PT
Cannabis is winning.
As I read articles about the various aspects of cannabis in newspapers throughout the country which also have a comment section, it is rare to read comments from people who don't get it. And comments from ignorant people get discounted in every way.Cannabis is winning. Ignorance is goin down.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #2 posted by The GCW on November 19, 2013 at 15:56:23 PT
Re-legalize the God-given plant.
I'd like to extend support to Maryland & Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Heather R. Mizeur's effort to RE-legalize cannabis.It really is time to stop caging responsible adults who choose to use the God-given plant.One thing that may help is to refer to cannabis as a plant rather than a "drug."Hold some in Your hand and observe, it's a plant.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #1 posted by museman on November 19, 2013 at 11:44:55 PT
Just do it!
Forget the damn go-betweens. People if you want liberty it is downright stupid to think that the system and those in the system -that denies your liberties in the first place- is going to do anything but run it all around in 'legitimate' status-quo 'I scratch your back, you scratch mine' mutual masturbation society of legal losers. Money will be made, but liberty? Well where the frack is it?Its in wealth, and propriety. Without money, a 'job' or subterfuge -AKA 'criminal behavior' there is none. If you can't pay, you can't have.Cannabis is our BIRTHRIGHT! Get the frack out of the way. We don't need 'laws' that infringe on our Yah-given liberties. This is supposedly what all those soldier fought and died for in the many 'freedom' wars setup and run by the wealthy ruling families like the Rockefellers, the Rothchildes, Duponts, etc. These families rule and it is they who dictate our laws not the people.Of course I understand that most slaves have been convinced, and have not the courage to seek truth outside the dominion of their masters, but that ain't gonna stop me. I don't want to, and never have wanted to be a slave. I tasted freedom and I am not going to give it back. Even if I am imprisoned for it, I will still be free. Liberty exists in my heart, mind and consciousness, even if my body is still of necessity linked to the human need section of their control. LEGALIZE FREEDOM
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