5/10/2011 – State Representative Diane Russell started up the testimony on LD 1453 today in front of the Criminal Justice Committee. “We have absolutely no control whatsoever over the marijuana market today. This bill creates a regulatory structure to limit access to marijuana to those under 21. Let me ask you – when was the last time you heard of a drug dealer carding someone?”
The committee room was overflowing with supporters. A live audio stream can be found here: http://www.maine.gov/legis/audio/crj_cmte.html
Russell continued, “This bill, by my estimates, would bring an additional eight and a half billion dollars in tax revenue.”
LD 1453 would tax and regulate recreational marijuana sales and cultivation. The bill would also expand provision s for medical marijuana care givers.
“Right now because we have no control of this market the vast majority of the marijuana market is in the hands of criminals,” said Russell.
Representative William D Burns (D) is a former state trooper. He posed several questions to Rep. Russell.
Burns-“ Why would I want to support legalizing another drug?”
Russell – “It’s not a perfect science but it works a heck of a lot better than outing people in jail.”
Another former state trooper took a different tactic at the hearings. Jack Cole, the founder of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), testified in favor of the bill.
“It will save us billions of tax dollars while creating addition revenue of billions more,” said Cole.
After spending 14 years as part of an undercover narcotics team, Cole had some stark assessments.
“For 40 years we’ve fought this war with one and a third trillion dollars and ever harsher policies. We’ve made over 41 million arrests in that time of non violent drug offenders – More than half were for marijuana charges.”
The hearings will continue this afternoon in Maine. Listen live with this link: http://www.maine.gov/legis/audio/crj_cmte.html
Questions? [email protected]
Chris Goldstein is a respected marijuana reform advocate. As a writer and radio broadcaster he has been covering cannabis news for over a decade. He volunteers with local groups to change prohibition laws including PhillyNORML and The Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey.