SF Assemblyman To Chair Pot Legalization Hearing

CBS 5 ^ | 10/28/09 | staff

[umgud]

A San Francisco assemblyman will chair a legislative hearing in Sacramento Wednesday on the potential ramifications of legalizing marijuana in California.

The Assembly Committee on Public Safety will hear testimony on the social, economic and legal implications of decriminalizing marijuana and regulating its use in the same way that alcohol is regulated.

That idea has been formally proposed in a bill authored by Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, the committee's chair. The committee will consider the bill itself at a separate hearing in January.

Wednesday's hearing is an informational session to review recent developments in the general field of marijuana legalization, Ammiano spokesman Quintin Mecke said.

Mecke cited a report issued by the state Board of Equalization in July that estimated that regulation and taxation of marijuana could bring California $1.4 billion annually in tax revenue.

Ammiano released a statement Tuesday calling the hearing a "long overdue discussion of how to best regulate and tax marijuana."

[umgud]

Seems to me if they legalize it, the cost will go way down and they won't get this tax bonanza they're all lathered up about. If they tax or regulate it too much, the cost will remain high and the criminals will still control it.

[green iguana]

I think it’s the latter. Didn’t read this article, but one I read earlier mentioned a $50/oz fee and then a tax on top of that.

[Tublecane]

Why do thy always use tax possibilities as justification? As if finding a way to increase government revenue is my main concern. I guess it is for some people, i.e. politicians and their freeloading voters. But not me.

How about we just stand on the principle that vices should not be crimes.

[Snickering Hound]

[rod1]

Glad SF has time to worry about such stuff. I would have thought that having a major artery (the Bay Bridge) closed indefinitely might have taken precedent.

But then again I am not presently on drugs.

[rod1]

Glad SF has time to worry about such stuff. I would have thought that having a major artery (the Bay Bridge) closed indefinitely might have taken precedent.

But then again I am not presently on drugs.

[Flash Bazbeaux]

Indefatigable
Forthright
*nflappable
*orageous
Knowledgeable
Youthful
Outspoken, and
Unwavering.

That’s Tom Ammiano.

Even Arnold agrees.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/27/schwarzenegger-sends-lawm_n_336319.html