NORML Breaking News: Marijuana Legalization Bills Introduced In Massachusetts!

California’s highly publicized effort to legalize the commercial cultivation and sale of cannabis is getting some well-deserved company!
A pair of bills — House Bill 2929 and Senate Bill 1801 — seeking to “tax and regulate the cannabis industry” have just been introduced in the Massachusetts legislature.
These proposals seek to legally regulate the commercial production and distribution of marijuana for adults over 21 years of age. Like California’s proposal, they would impose licensing requirements and excise taxes on the retail sale of cannabis. By some estimates, these taxes could raise nearly $100 million in annual state revenue.
Adults who possess or grow marijuana for personal use, or who engage in the non-profit transfer of cannabis, would not be subject to taxation under the law.
You can read more about these bills at the new website: http://www.cantaxreg.com. If you live in Massachusetts, we urge you to write your elected officials in support of H. 2929 and S. 1801 by going here.
“Decades of whispered grumblings about the wisdom and efficacy of prohibition is rapidly giving way to a serious—really serious public discussion about how to replace it,” said former NORML Board Member Richard Evans, who assisted in drafting the landmark legislation. “Those who consider themselves leaders in government and the media have the obligation to either show how prohibition can be made to work, or join in the exploration of alternatives.”
We can’t think of a better place to begin this discussion on the east coast than Massachusetts, where last November 65 percent of voters endorsed a statewide initiative reclassifying marijuana possession as a fine-only offense under state law. Will a majority of Bay State voters also support legalization? We may soon find out!

Looks like Mass is rolling full steam literally rolling

I am so happy!! People I know are already saying this won't pass, but that's what everyone was saying about the decriminalization bill. All we need to do is create better public awareness on how this bill can help our economy and push the fact that marijuana is beneficial to medical patients and should be looked at no different than alcohol in terms of taxation and legalization.

Even if it passes, there will still be people growing and redistributing it illegally, just to get the high tax head off.

Zypher said:

Even if it passes, there will still be people growing and redistributing it illegally, just to get the high tax head off.

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I just read the bill looks like a high tax is right. heres how it is broken down to those who haven't read it or don't want to read it.

Class C One hundred fifty dollar per ounc
Class B Two hundred dollars per ounc
Class A Two hundred fifty dollars per ounce.


All cannabis sold by processors shall be analyzed and graded as follows:
(1) If said cannabis contains more than 1% THC and less than 5% THC, then said cannabis shall be labeled “C”.
(2) If the cannabis contains 5% or more than 5% and less than 10% THC, then said cannabis shall be labeled “B”.
(3) If the cannabis contains 10% THC or more, then said cannabis shall be labeled “A”.

So basically badass pot is 250 an oz?

I don't care what crazy tax they put on it as long as this quote is true....

Adults who possess or grow marijuana for personal use, or who engage in the non-profit transfer of cannabis, would not be subject to taxation under the law.

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Lol I live in Massachusetts, Lowell.

Well write your senators!