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aj123
smot poking



Registered: 09/08/08
Posts: 815
Loc: Easter island
Last seen: 6 years, 4 months
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Portland legislator pushes bill to legalize, tax marijuana in Maine
#14319304 - 04/19/11 07:19 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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Portland legislator pushes bill to legalize, tax marijuana in Maine
PORTLAND — Imagine walking into a neighborhood store to buy beer, wine, liquor and cigarettes. But on your way home you make one more stop – to buy marijuana, legally.
That's the vision Rep. Diane Russell, D-Portland, will outline at a press conference on Wednesday at Portland City Hall, when she introduces LD 1453: An Act to Legalize and Tax Marijuana.
The bill would legalize and regulate marijuana much the same way the state regulates the alcohol and tobacco industries. It would allow adults over 21 to cultivate, possess, purchase and use marijuana within certain limits.
The bill would also institute a 7 percent sales tax on recreational and medicinal marijuana transactions.
"It's an issue whose time has come," Russell said in an interview Monday morning at the Hilltop Coffee Shop on Munjoy Hill.
Russell said the legislation is supported by the Maine Civil Liberties Union and by a group of caregivers who grow and supply patients with medical marijuana.
Since the bill would legalize pot, it would affect Maine's medical marijuana law, making it unnecessary to get a doctor's permission to buy and use the the drug.
MCLU Public Policy Counsel Alysia N. Melnick called the proposal "smart policy." Investing scarce resources into criminalizing people who use marijuana is costly, inhumane and diverts funding from more important programs, she said.
"The 'war on drugs’ is quite costly in both financial and human terms, and the prohibition of marijuana has not measurably reduced its use," Melnick said. "This is a clear call for us to reconsider our laws and policies on marijuana."
Russell said current marijuana law "ensnares" good people, making it difficult for them to get jobs, apply for loans and the like.
She said her bill also has bi-partisan support in the Legislature, where it's co-sponsored by Rep. Richard Cebra, R-Naples; Rep. Aaron Libby, R-Waterboro; Rep. Wayne Mitchell, who represents Penobscot Nation; Rep. Andrew O'Brien, D-Lincolnville, and Rep. Frederick Wintle, R-Garland.
The bill has been referred to the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, but as of Tuesday there were no public hearings or work sessions scheduled.
Russell said she expects opponents will argue that legalizing marijuana will open the door to more dangerous and addictive drug use.
But Russell doesn't buy that. She believes the black market is that gateway, not the marijuana itself.
"The market already exists," Russell said. "It's not the drug that's the gateway, it's the drug dealer."
Russell said addiction to marijuana, like other legal drugs, including alcohol and tobacco, should be treated as a mental health issue, rather than a criminal issue.
South Portland Police Chief Edward Googins, who is also president of the Maine Chiefs of Police Association, could not be reached for comment.
Russell said the 20-page bill addresses concerns that have plagued other legalization efforts. She said it outlaws use by minors and marketing efforts geared towards children.
The bill would allow people over 21 to possess up to a pound of marijuana and paraphernalia. An adult could produce and store marijuana for personal use within a 75-square-foot area of their home, and allow them to purchase up to 2.5 ounces or seedlings from a licensed dealer.
The production and storage limits would be greater for commercial producers. They could produce and store marijuana in a 2,000-square-foot area.
The bill would require the state commissioner of public safety to develop administrative rules by Dec. 11, and the tax structure would take effect on Jan. 1, 2012.
Russell said she hopes the bill will become a model for other legalization efforts across the country. For that to happen, however, she said "mainstream" residents are going to have to step forward, shed the fear of being associated with the "stoner" community, and speak their minds.
"Why are we enforcing a policy we don't agree with and not collecting taxes?" she said.
Russell pointed to a 2006 report published in The Bulletin of Cannabis Reform, indicating that marijuana was the state's No. 1 cash crop and in the top three of 30 states.
According to the report, Maine produced about$122.8 million worth of pot a year from 2003-2005. A 7 percent tax would have resulted in $8.6 million in annual revenue for the state.
Russell said she knows it will be challenging to get the bill through the typically conservative Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee. But, if she only gets one vote recommending passage, Russell said she would push for a floor vote.
Even if the bill becomes state law, it will be in direct opposition to federal drug law. But Russell said Maine is already out of compliance with federal law, since medical marijuana is already legal in the state.
"We need one state to do it and think other states will follow," Russell said. "Then the federal government (will have) no choice."
http://www.theforecaster.net/content/p-maine-rep-introduces-bill-legalize-tax-marijuana-042011
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mr.711
thats whats up



Registered: 06/06/10
Posts: 176
Last seen: 6 years, 4 months
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Re: Portland legislator pushes bill to legalize, tax marijuana in Maine [Re: aj123]
#14319401 - 04/19/11 07:40 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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AskingAlexandria
Skinny



Registered: 04/06/11
Posts: 141
Last seen: 11 years, 4 months
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Re: Portland legislator pushes bill to legalize, tax marijuana in Maine [Re: aj123]
#14319403 - 04/19/11 07:40 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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I really hope people here see this through. I would love for Maine to set the way for the rest of the country.
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vjp
Canowicakte


Registered: 05/28/09
Posts: 3,619
Loc: Ste-ye-hah' mah
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Re: Portland legislator pushes bill to legalize, tax marijuana in Maine [Re: AskingAlexandria]
#14319476 - 04/19/11 07:55 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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marmarwoohoo


Registered: 07/06/09
Posts: 495
Last seen: 11 years, 28 days
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Re: Portland legislator pushes bill to legalize, tax marijuana in Maine [Re: aj123]
#14320250 - 04/19/11 10:23 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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This is fucking awesome! Obviously a lot of work still to be done, but its really happening guys. Maine could really benefit from this passing too, that state needs the money. I would love to be involved some how in making this happen. Think I'm ready to move there. Maybe open the first shop. Let's just fucking get it done with already
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marmarwoohoo


Registered: 07/06/09
Posts: 495
Last seen: 11 years, 28 days
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Re: Portland legislator pushes bill to legalize, tax marijuana in Maine [Re: aj123]
#14320273 - 04/19/11 10:26 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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May I suggest we all create accounts for this online paper and politely and intelligently voice our support in the comments section. Let's get people talking. Maybe i'm just tweaking out and its late, but ima go ahead and do this
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starfire_xes
I Am 'They'



Registered: 10/24/09
Posts: 21,590
Loc: Dallas with all the assho...
Last seen: 7 months, 2 days
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Re: Portland legislator pushes bill to legalize, tax marijuana in Maine [Re: aj123]
#14321312 - 04/20/11 02:23 AM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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THe only thing wrong i see is this: Medical marijuana will be taxed... aren't prescription drugs tax exempt in just about every state?
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IF THE NEIGHBORS COMPLAIN BECAUSE THE MUSIC'S TOO LOUD, TURN IT UP SO YOU CAN'T HEAR THEM BITCH
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marmarwoohoo


Registered: 07/06/09
Posts: 495
Last seen: 11 years, 28 days
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Re: Portland legislator pushes bill to legalize, tax marijuana in Maine [Re: starfire_xes]
#14321759 - 04/20/11 07:20 AM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
starfire_xes said: THe only thing wrong i see is this: Medical marijuana will be taxed... aren't prescription drugs tax exempt in just about every state?
Yes, but my thinking is that legal weed will be cheaper than medical weed, making the tax thing a non-issue. Also, I would suspect that they would still have medical benefits for the people who qualified
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anderson405
Stranger

Registered: 04/02/11
Posts: 25
Last seen: 12 years, 8 months
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Re: Portland legislator pushes bill to legalize, tax marijuana in Maine [Re: marmarwoohoo]
#14321842 - 04/20/11 07:52 AM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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ya well once it happens everyone might as well get on bored cause it will take over this country like a bat out of hell so be ready and get your bongs cleaned
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batman returns
Dude man



Registered: 09/12/09
Posts: 213
Last seen: 8 years, 3 months
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Re: Portland legislator pushes bill to legalize, tax marijuana in Maine [Re: marmarwoohoo]
#14322263 - 04/20/11 10:08 AM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
marmarwoohoo said:
Quote:
starfire_xes said: THe only thing wrong i see is this: Medical marijuana will be taxed... aren't prescription drugs tax exempt in just about every state?
Yes, but my thinking is that legal weed will be cheaper than medical weed, making the tax thing a non-issue. Also, I would suspect that they would still have medical benefits for the people who qualified
They'll probably regulate in much the same way they did in Co, and for that matter in the same way liquor stores are. Only so many licenses will be issued, so the price will probably remain high for the foreseeable future, how else would they generate their "revenue." Be the first to apply IMO...
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marmarwoohoo


Registered: 07/06/09
Posts: 495
Last seen: 11 years, 28 days
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Re: Portland legislator pushes bill to legalize, tax marijuana in Maine [Re: batman returns]
#14324448 - 04/20/11 06:41 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
batman returns said:
Quote:
marmarwoohoo said:
Quote:
starfire_xes said: THe only thing wrong i see is this: Medical marijuana will be taxed... aren't prescription drugs tax exempt in just about every state?
Yes, but my thinking is that legal weed will be cheaper than medical weed, making the tax thing a non-issue. Also, I would suspect that they would still have medical benefits for the people who qualified
They'll probably regulate in much the same way they did in Co, and for that matter in the same way liquor stores are. Only so many licenses will be issued, so the price will probably remain high for the foreseeable future, how else would they generate their "revenue." Be the first to apply IMO...
seriously considering it. Portland's a fun city. and very affordable. would need a few ambitious partners though so it may just be a pipe dream
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Valafar
Striking for the gentle



Registered: 02/20/10
Posts: 155
Loc: Vermont/Maine
Last seen: 10 years, 4 months
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Re: Portland legislator pushes bill to legalize, tax marijuana in Maine [Re: marmarwoohoo]
#14326925 - 04/21/11 09:30 AM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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Here is another article on it 
http://www.pressherald.com/news/Bill-to-legalize-and-tax-marijuana-unveiled.html
Quote:
PORTLAND — Legalizing marijuana would simply be recognition of "the world as it is," the lead sponsor of a bill to make the drug legal and taxed in Maine said today.
Rep. Diane Russell, D-Portland, has introduced a bill that would make marijuana legal, allow people to grow small amounts for personal use and subject sales to a 7 percent tax, with the revenue directed to law enforcement, agricultural programs, land preservation, weatherization and higher education.
A number of groups and individuals supporting the measure have banded together as "Maine FIrst," in recognition that the state would be the first to legalize marijuana if the legislation is passed and signed by the governor. The organization held a press conference at Portland City Hall this morning to unveil the legislation.
Russell said the sales tax could generate $8.5 million a year and the measure would also reduce law enforcement and prison costs. She also said the state could benefit from taxes on income made by those growing and selling pot, but not reporting their earnings because it's derived from illegal activity.
She said the law also proposes "safe haven" no-sales zones around schools and contains fines for selling or marketing marijuana to those under 21 years old.
Russell said legalizing marijuana would allow law enforcement and anti-addiction efforts to be focused on more dangerous drugs.
"Painkillers are the drugs killing Maine people," she said. "Marijuana isn't the gateway (to more dangerous drugs), the drug dealer is."
Russell's blll has been referred to the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee, but no hearings have been scheduled yet.
Edited by Valafar (04/21/11 09:39 AM)
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