WASHINGTON – Democrats are seeking to legalize marijuana, and start taxing it.
US states would be given the freedom to decide how to regulate marijuana just like alcohol and cigarettes without affronting federal law under a new proposed legislation from two Democratic lawmakers.
Jared Polis of Colorado and Earl Blumenauer of Oregon are planning to introduce two bills in the House of Representatives on Tuesday regarding the legalization of marijuana. This is perhaps due to a growing movement to legalize marijuana for recreational or medical use.
As previously reported in The Inquisitr , Washington state residents gathered around the Space Needle in Seattle to celebrate their right to smoke in December. Washington and other progressive states have been known for their rallies to legalize marijuana, such as “Hempfest”, where local musicians and artists gather to share and sell their hemp-related wares and music. Now their fight is over.
According to Courant , one bill would legalize marijuana and allow states control over the sale of it similarly to alcohol sales, with federal supervision. The other bill would create a federal tax on its sale.
Critics say that in spite of widespread use and acceptance, that marijuana, derived from the cannabis plant and usually smoked, can be unhealthy, especially for youth. They also question its benefits for medical use.
As previously reported in The Inquisitr , efforts have been made to synthesize marijuana, but this has led to a teen having a stroke.
According to Reuters , Marijuana Policy Project director of government relations Steve Fox said:
“Marijuana prohibition has proven to be just as ineffective, wasteful, and problematic as alcohol prohibition.”
Do you think marijuana should be decriminalized, or are the Democrats taking the wrong approach with it?
APNewsBreak: A federal pot tax? Broad effort building in Congress to change marijuana laws: apne.ws/WnFJ4U -MM
— The Associated Press (@AP) February 4, 2013
