Massachusetts Looks to Legalize Pot: Eyeing Millions in Tax Revenue
March 24, 2009
(ChattahBox)—The state of Massachusetts, the bastion of the Kennedy dynasty and all things democratic, is looking into the massive revenue the state can bring in from legalizing and taxing the commercial cultivation and sale of marijuana. Massachusetts, like many states in this deep economic recession, are scrambling to find additional sources of revenue to keep state services afloat. This is good news for the many people who oppose the criminalization of marijuana use, believing law enforcement efforts to stop people from smoking pot have been a complete failure.
The Cannabis Regulation and Taxation Act, contained in house Bill 2929 and Senate Bill 1801, was just introduced in the state legislature. The bills seek to regulate marijuana the same way it controls alcohol: by legalizing its use for those over 21. The language of the bills make it clear what many already know: “The governor and the representatives of the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging that previous efforts have not succeeded in eliminating or curtailing marijuana use and abuse…”
If these two bills pass, it will no longer be a crime to grow and smoke pot for those over 21 years of age. The state would impose licensing requirements and excise taxes on the retail sale of pot, adding as much as $100 million in annual state revenue. The sales tax would not apply to adults who possess or grow marijuana for personal use or who transfer non-profit marijuana.
The Massachusetts bills are similar to the recent bills introduced in the California state legislature to get its hands on tax revenue from marijuana sales. California already has a large-scale commercial production of medical marijuana that is distributed in storefronts called marijuana dispensaries. The medical guidelines for marijuana prescriptions are quite lax and just about anyone can get one.
Attorney General Eric Holder, recently announced that the federal government will allow local distribution of medical marijuana in the US, if in compliance with local and state laws. Holder also announced the federal government will no longer raid state marijuana dispensaries.
States like Massachusetts and California responded to these announcements, by quickly introducing legislation legalizing and taxing the retail sale of marijuana. Stay tuned for further updates of this groundbreaking change in the nation’s treatment of marijuana use.
Comments
18 Responses to “Massachusetts Looks to Legalize Pot: Eyeing Millions in Tax Revenue”
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Massachusetts and California are leading the way to a safer America. I love getting good news like this.
Go, Massachusetts.
I’M GOING TO MASSACHUSETTS.
Talk about an effective tourism pitch.
[...] Massachusetts Looks to Legalize Pot: Eyeing Millions in Tax … [...]
This is one of the smartest ideas I have seen coming from politicians in a long time! for those of you worried that this would cause rampant crime, study up on the crime rates involving alcohol during and post-prohibition. Save our tax dollars for useful means, and generate more tax revenue!
Good news. Prohibition of weed is counter-productive. Go Mass!!!!!
thank god some sense finally coming out of washington!
im pumped. if it passes i just hope other states will join in!
And if other states join in, I hope other countries follow!
Thank you for all the great comments! I think it’s a great move on Massachusetts’ part to take the necessary steps to legalize and regulate pot. Finally, states are taking a hard look at the utter failure of the War on Drugs.
Stay tuned to ChattahBox for further updates on this issue.
That’s great and all but what about the feds who will still arrest you for breaking federal law?
im pretty sure the feds arent allowed to interfere in cali anymore as of recently but i could be wrong..
Re: john mar 31
The feds can still do whatever they want, their law supersedes any states laws. However, Atty General Holder has said that he will not use federal resources to interfere in the marijuana laws of other states, effectively removing the threat of federal prosecution. Three cheers!
it is about time massachusetts started thinking wisely and got on board with california. marijuana could be a very lucrative resource for the state. why let the common drug dealing thug capitalize in a business that is a multimillion dollar business growing each and every year with out failure. the war on drugs is nothing more than a uphill losing battle doing nothing but wasting tax dollars on cases that hardly ever get convictions. it is about time massachusetts started cashing in on the marijuana gold mine. LEGALIZE MARIJUANA NOW!!!
When do they vote on this? I’m ready!!!
i hope this all works. it will be a major change and open many doors for everyone.
Marion Massachusetts!
Thank god I live in Mass. If this passes, my town will probably grow the most compared to surrounding towns.