California Passes Tax & Regulate Marijuana Legislation

(SACRAMENTO) - Today, in a 4 to 3 vote, the California Assembly’s Public Safety Committee passed A.B. 390, legislation that would tax and regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol.

This is the first time in U.S. history that a state legislature has ever passed—or even considered—a proposal to make marijuana legal, taxed, and regulated. A.B. 390, the Marijuana Control, Regulation, and Education Act was authored by Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco), the chair of the committee.

Marijuana is California's biggest cash crop, generating sales estimated at $14 billion a year. The potential tax revenue on that number is very tantalizing to those looking to balance the budget.

The bill will not progress any further this year due to the constraints of the legislative calendar but advocates praised today’s vote as a major milestone in ongoing efforts to end marijuana prohibition.

“Today’s vote should give voters confidence that California’s failed and unjust war on marijuana consumers will soon come to an end,” said Aaron Smith, California policy director for the Marijuana Policy Project, who testified before the committee.

“It’s an encouraging sign that most members of the committee presiding over the state’s penal code have voted to toss marijuana prohibition onto the ash heap of history.”

Salem-News.com Marijuana Coverage

Where and How to Smoke Legal Marijuana without Fear of Arrest in the U.S.

Eulogy of a Great Warrior: Hoss Plourde

The Ripple Effect How Marijuana Laws Are Impacting Society

Audit the Audit

Welcome Home, Tom

Comments Leave a comment on this story.

All comments and messages are approved by people and self promotional links or unacceptable comments are denied.

Natalie January 12, 2010 2:47 pm (Pacific time)

The bill imposes a $50-an-ounce sales tax that will be used to tell how bad smoking marijuana is. LOL. Ironic isn't it? I would use it at least to buy enough chairs for schools, so kids would't have to sit on their coats on the floor in winter.

Jeff Kaye~ January 12, 2010 2:09 pm (Pacific time)

That's great news. Here's an idea; post the names and faces of the "voters" on that committe, so that Californians (who support the measure by 56 percent in the latest poll) can make an informed decision come next election for those seats. Also, the next committee vote might not be so close. This may not count for much more than encouragement, as California will surely have the signatures needed to get this on the ballot in November. Change smells good. Like the difference between moldy Mexican brickweed and perfectly cured, manicured, sparkling buds in the flavor of your choice. Like the difference between a dank prison cell and the Sweet So-Cal breeze blowin' in off the surf while beachgoers enjoy a toke without looking over their shoulder for Johnny Law.

[Return to Top]