Maine State Rep. Diane Russell introduces LD 1453, a bill to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana.

[Shallah Kali]

Run time: 06:29 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zux9AO5wLpQ   Posted on YouTube: April 21, 2011 By YouTube Member: WitchgrassDream Views on YouTube: 249   Posted on DU: April 28, 2011 By DU Member: Shallah Kali Views on DU: 763

 

Pledging to "end the era of failed prohibition where it began over 100 years ago, right here in Portland, Maine," Maine State Rep. Diane Russell begins the public campaign for Maine First, to support LD 1453, a bill to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana.

link to bill: http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/billtexts/HP106701.asp

Portland Lawmaker Proposes to Legalize Marijuana
04/20/2011 Reported By: Susan Sharon

"A steep, uphill climb" that's how the Senate co-chair of the Legislature's Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee characterizes the chances of a bill to legalize and tax marijuana. Rep. Diane Russell's bill will be considered by another legislative committee in the coming weeks. Russell says it's time to stop turning otherwise law-abiding people into criminals. And she's getting praise for the idea--whether the Legislature endorses it or not.

http://www.mpbn.net/Home/tabid/36/ctl/ViewItem/mid/3478/ItemId/16072/Default.aspx

"One by one people say, 'We should just legalize it. We should just stop wasting all these resources. Let's collect the tax revenue off of it,'" she says. "Whether they're going to tell you that at the public hearing or just on the street or in a coffee shop is the real question as to whether or not this moves forward."

Russell's bill would permit people to cultivate small amounts of marijuana and buy it from licensed caregivers. It would impose a seven percent sales tax that she estimates would bring in about $8.5 million dollars for the state. That doesn't include payroll and income taxes that would also be generated.

Russell says it's time to change the paradigm of the nation's, and Maine's, failed drug policy. "Painkillers are the drugs killing Maine people," she says. "So why are we spending an estimated $26 million per year in Maine to root out, prosecute and jail people for the possession and sale of marijuana? Let's channel that money toward the real drugs at the core of our addiction issue in Maine."

[slay]

1. It's far past this this was done

look at all the tax money to be gained from marijuana - a plant less harmful than alcohol or cigerettes - and one that helps many, many, many people. K&R.

*on edit - i'm against the entire drug war - but at least this is a step.

[Vincardog]

2. Finally a politician that does not make me want to puke

[Shallah Kali]

3. bangor daily news article w/poll

Portland representative wants to legalize pot
http://new.bangordailynews.com/2011/04/20/politics/portland-representative-proposes-legalizing-marijuana/?ref=related

Russell’s bill would allow Mainers 21 and older to possess up to 1 pound of marijuana and legally smoke or ingest it in nonpublic places, including private residences. People could grow pot within 75 square feet of space for personal consumption and within 2,000 square feet of space for commercial cultivation.

She estimated that marijuana sales would generate $8.5 million in sales taxes each year, and an undetermined amount of income taxes for people who make money off it.

She envisions small-scale growers across Maine cultivating the plants and selling the finished product to consumers.

Her bill is co-sponsored by both Republicans and Democrats, and representatives from the Maine Civil Liberties Union and the Maine Marijuana Policy Initiative spoke in favor of the bill at Wednesday’s press conference. Still, she knows there will be opposition from other legislators.

Poll results http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail.html?sub_id=172006&pollmsg=

4/20/11
Should marijuana be legalized and taxed in Maine?
Yes
540 votes (85%)

No
98 votes (15%)

[reggie the dog]

4. this is great news

[Shallah Kali]

5. Petition started by Rep. Russell

Support MJ Legalization in Maine
By Rep. Diane Russell
http://signon.org/sign/support-mj-legalization

To be delivered to: The Maine State House, The Maine State Senate and Governor Paul LePage

“Please support Rep. Diane Russell's bill to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana. It is time we stop turning otherwise law-abiding people into criminals, begin taxing it for commercial sale, and refocus our criminal justice resources toward issues that are truly devastating communities.”

Rep. Diane Russell has introduced legislation to fully legalize, regulate and tax marijuana. This petition supports the legislation and encourages legislators to vote in favor of responsibly ending the prohibition.

Previous petition signers: 1097

if you are a Maine-ah and support this please don't just sign the petition - write email, snail mail or phone your state Representative & Senator.

[W.T.People]

6. Get it done & let it spread all over the land

should have done this a long time ago

[Shallah Kali]

7. email form set up by norml on capwiz

edit to suit yourself before sending:

http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=40822516

[Shallah Kali]

8. kick

:kick: