#NORML #News
Source: @norml
Posted By: norml@weedconnection.com
media :: news
- Sun, 10 Nov 2013 04:20:21 PST

Maine: Nearly 70 Percent Of Portland Voters Approve Ballot Measure To Eliminate Local Pot Penalties

Maine: Nearly 70 Percent Of Portland Voters Approve Ballot Measure To Eliminate Local Pot Penalties Portland, ME: Voters in Maine's largest city overwhelmingly decided in favor of a municipal measure eliminating local penalties for the possession of marijuana by adults.

An estimated 67 percent of Portland voters decided Tuesday in favor of a citywide ballot initiative, Question 1, eliminating penalties for adults who possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and/or cannabis paraphernalia within city limits. Public consumption of the substance remains a punishable offense.

Under state law, the possession of 2.5 ounces of marijuana or less is classified as a civil offense punishable by a fine of up to $600.

Maine Rep. Diane Russell (D-Portland) called the vote result "a victory for science, for common sense and for liberty."

Representative Russell championed legislation this past spring that sought to legalize cannabis production, use, and retail sales statewide. That measure fell four votes shy of House passage. "[W]ith [Tuesday's] vote, it's now clear Mainers are ready to move forward with responsibly regulating all adult marijuana sales," she said. "We are calling on city officials to respect the will of the voters, and state leaders to get ahead of this issue with a Maine approach to taxing and regulating this commodity, much like we do alcohol. It's time to stop rewarding drug cartels and start rewarding responsible business owners, while funding important state priorities with new tax revenue."

Representative Russell has prefiled similar legislation for 2014.

Michigan: Three Cities Vote To Depenalize Marijuana Possession

Lansing, MI: Voters in the city of Lansing (population 114,000) decided in favor of a municipal initiative amending the city charter to repeal criminal and civil penalties involving the adult possession of cannabis by adults on private property.

An estimated 63 percent of city voters on Tuesday endorsed the measure, which read, "Shall the Charter of the City of Lansing, Michigan be amended such that nothing in the Code of Ordinances shall apply to the use, possession or transfer of less than 1 ounce of marijuana, on private property, by a person who has attained the age of 21 years?"

Voters in two additional Michigan cities, Jackson (population 33,000) and Ferndale (population 20,000) approved similar measures on Election Day.

In Jackson, an estimated 60 percent of voters decided in favor of changing the city code to eliminate criminal and civil penalties regarding the "possession or transfer of less than one ounce of marijuana on private property by a person who has attained the age of 21 years." In Ferndale, approximately 70 percent of voters approved similar depenalization language.

Under present state law, the possession of any amount of cannabis for non-medical purposes is a criminal misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $2,000 fine.

Last year, voters in four Michigan cities - Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, and Ypsilanti - all voted overwhelmingly in favor of municipal measures to depenalize minor marijuana offenses involving adults.

Colorado: Voters Enact Statewide Tax Scheme For Commercial Cannabis Production And Retail Sales

Colorado: Voters Enact Statewide Tax Scheme For Commercial Cannabis Production And Retail Sales Denver, CO: A majority of Colorado voters have approved tax rates on the commercial production and retail sales of cannabis.

Voters in 2012 had previously approved a statewide ballot measure authorizing the establishment of state-licensed marijuana producers and retailers. Lawmakers this spring proposed tax rates on both licensed cannabis production and retail sales, both of which are set to begin early next year. Under state law, adults also have the option to grow up to six cannabis plants for their own personal use. Adults do not need to possess a state license to engage in personal cultivation.

On Tuesday, an estimated 65 percent of voters decided in favor of Proposition AA, which authorizes a 15 percent excise tax and a special sales tax of 10 percent on marijuana products sold by the state-licensed stores. Revenue derived from the taxes is intended to fund public school construction and to provide state oversight to cannabis businesses. Colorado NORML had opposed the proposed elevated taxation levels, opining, "It is our position that excessive taxation ... has the potential effect to keep a black market for marijuana alive in Colorado."

Voters in various Colorado cities, including Denver and Boulder, also backed separate local retail taxes on cannabis sales. Starting in January, over 100 licensed retail outlets are expected to begin selling cannabis to those ages 21 and older.

Under the new tax scheme, cannabis will be among the most heavily taxed consumer products in the state.


#NORML #News

Bookmark and Share Subscribe

>> View All Media
>> View All Reviews


(c) Copyright 2006-2420 - WeedConnection LLC - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

#Support Your #OG @WeedConnection! (Click Here)








WeedConnection @ Twitter   @WeedConnection @ Facebook   @WeedConnection @ LinkedIn   @WeedConnection @ Foursquare   @WeedConnection @ Spotify   @WeedConnection @ YouTube   @WeedConnection @ Yelp   @WeedConnection @ Google+   @WeedConnection @ instaGram

weedconnection.com