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California Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) today introduced a bill to decriminalize, tax and regulate marijuana. Not medical marijuana — all marijuana.
The bill number is AB 390. It does not seem to be available on leginfo yet, but presumably it will be soon. Quintin Mecke, communications director for Ammiano, said the measure would decriminalize cultivation, possession, transportation and use of marijuana, with no quantity limits set.
What of the potential conflict with federal law around this issue? Mecke said that the assemblyman is aware of the traditional federal stance on marijuana but added that “We’re hoping that this is pushing the conversation toward not only changing state law but also changing federal law.” He noted that the federal government has seen some proposals that suggested movement in a similar direction, such as the measure introduced last year by Congressman Barney Frank.
“Given the fact that we’re on a brand new economic landscape for everyone, both at the state and federal level, one of the reasons that the member put this forward is that it’s time to have a rational discussion about regulating and taxing California’s largest cash crop,” Mecke added.
The proposed $50-per-ounce tax would generate about $1 billion in revenue for cash-strapped California. Presumably there would also be significant savings involved in not arresting, prosecuting and convicting people for marijuana offenses. Marijuana use would be limited to persons over age 21, in a manner analogous to the handling of alcohol.
Update: The blog of the SF Weekly has good coverage of Ammiano’s press conference from earlier today.
Filed under: Drugs, Military Industrial Complex, Prison Industrial Complex | Tagged: Barney Frank, marijuana, Quintin Mecke, Tom Ammiano
