Marijuana Legalization Across America Possible Under Federal Bill Proposed Today
Marijuana could be legalized across America under a set of bills proposed by two congressman from decidedly liberal states.
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Yes, these guys -- Rep. Earl Blumenauer of Oregon and Rep. Jared Polis of the recreational-legal state of Colorado -- are the Don Quixotes of federal weed policy. But we can dream, can't we?
Under their proposals, introduced jointly today, ...
... the legislation would lift the federal outlaw status of cannabis and allow states to legalize and tax pot similar to the way alcohol is regulated if they so desire.
Of course, the term no chance in hell comes to mind, especially seeing that the House of Representatives is controlled by Republicans and that the GOP has strangled the Democratically controlled Senate with filibusters.
Phempa / Flickr
But it's a sure sign that there's a clear evolution about America's thinking on weed, starting with California's 1996 landmark medical marijuana legalization, extending through the Golden State's near passage of a recreational law in 2010, and moving along last year with full legalization in Colorado and Washington.
A recent Rasmussen poll found that a majority of Americans, 56 percent, support the alcohol-like regulation of cannabis.
Drug Policy Alliance national director Bill Piper said in a statement sent to the Weekly and other outlets today:
The American people clearly support marijuana policy reform and Congress should enact legislation to reflect that. With a growing number of states legalizing marijuana for medical or non-medical use this is an issue that cannot be ignored, and this year is the year to change federal law.
It's not going to happen in 2013. But we're clearly headed there.
[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]
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