implement and enforce the new laws. This proposal doesn’t guarantee revenue would cover expanded costs. Maine already allows legal and regulated cultivation, processing, sale, and testing of marijuana, generating millions every year in registration fees and tax revenue. The medical marijuana program has been rated best in the country, balancing safe patient access with needed safety protections.”
Massachusetts
Referred to as Question 4, the measure would legalize marijuana and create a regulatory agency — the Cannabis Control Commission — that would oversee the legalization and the distribution of licenses to firms aiming to sell marijuana products.
Adults who are 21 and older would be allowed to use, grow (up to six plants in their homes) and possess (less than 10 ounces in their homes, and less than an ounce in public).
Marijuana sales would be subject to a sales tax of 6.25 percent, plus and additional 3.75 percent excise tax, which is placed on specific goods such as gasoline or tobacco. Municipalities would also have the authority to charge an additional 2 percent tax.
Earnings from excise taxes, license application fees, and fines from minor violations of Question 4 would be collected in a Marijuana Regulation Fund, and the revenue would pay the administrative costs of the law.
Support:
“Marijuana prohibition has been a failure at controlling the use of marijuana,” said Will Luzier, campaign manager for Yes on 4 to Tax Marijuana. “There are over 800,000 people in Massachusetts who use marijuana on a regular basis, and they are all being forced into the criminal market where the products are not tested and they purveyors have other things to sell besides marijuana, mostly harder drugs. So, what we need to do is take that commerce out of the criminal market, and put it in a regulated market that pays taxes, creates jobs, and drives down youth access.”
Opposition:
“The coalition believes that the proposed law is written to benefit the commercial marijuana industry…” the Action for Boston Community Development said in an e-mailed statement. “Massachusetts has already decriminalized marijuana possession and authorized medical marijuana. People are not being jailed for marijuana use, and have access to it for health reasons. This ballot question is about allowing the national marijuana industry
Nevada
Referred to as Question 2, the measure would make some marijuana legal under state law and would allow adults 21 and older to possess, use and grow recreationally; possession would be regulated to one ounce or less, or one-eighth of an ounce of concentrated marijuana, and growing up to six marijuana plants for personal use would be permitted.
Plants would be required to be grown in an enclosed area with a lock. A 15 percent excise tax would be applied, and the tax revenue would be used on schools and enforcement of the measure.
Question 2 would authorize and regulate marijuana retail shops, cultivation facilities, manufacturing facilities, testing facilities and distributors. No marijuana stores will be allowed within 1,000 feet of a school or 300 feet from a community facility.
As of October 19, supporters have raised over $2.45 million, and opposers have raised over $2.1 million.
Support:
“I believe that our tax dollars ought to be spent on improving our schools – not building new jail cells,” said Senator Nelson Araujo of Nevada in an announcement to endorse Question 2. “Legalizing marijuana will not only help improve Nevada’s justice system, but add a new tax revenue source to our state that will increase teacher pay, reduce class sizes, and build new schools. By ending the prohibition on marijuana, we can also help end the cycle of non-violent, young offenders going to jail instead of college. By creating smart regulations, we can strengthen the relationship between our communities and law enforcement. I plan to vote ‘yes’ on Question 2 because I believe it is a critical step in reforming our criminal justice system to focus on violent offenders and career criminals instead of non-violent users who need rehabilitation and treatment.”
Opposition:
“As Nevada’s top law enforcement officer, I am strongly opposed to Ballot initiative 2 that would allow recreational marijuana in Nevada,” Attorney General Adam Laxalt said in a public statement. “As Attorney General, my biggest concern is the safety and health of all Nevadans. Colorado’s similar ballot measure legalizing marijuana has brought foreign cartel activity to their state, increased marijuana-related road fatalities by 32%, doubled pot-related visits to the ER by children, and increased by five times the number of calls to poison control. For these reasons, law enforcement all across the state of Nevada are opposed to this measure because it will make our communities and our children less safe. We do not need to make the same grave mistake Colorado has made, and I urge all Nevadans to vote no on question 2.”
Registered voters in any of the five states mentioned in this article are encouraged to make their opinions known by casting their ballot next month.
Author: Cesar Gamboa
Cesar Gamboa is a staff reporter and editor for Addiction Now covering topics ranging from legislation to scientific studies. He was previously a general assignment reporter for the Orange County Register. SoCal raised, lover of books, and avid mountain biker (when he wants to be). He can be reached at cesarg@addictionnow.com.
