State Rep. Diane Russell of Maine (D-Portland)
4/8/2011 – Representative Diane Russell (D-Portland) has introduced a new bill in Maine that would cover all aspects of cannabis legalization. HP1067/ LD 1453 An Act To Legalize and Tax Marijuana sets out to carefully do everything in the title. Recreational marijuana can be sold and grown, medical cannabis caregivers will be grandfathered into larger growing spaces and industrial hemp will be farmed for profit.
Russell sat down with Freedomisgreen.com for an interview last month:
So the revenue will be coming from two areas with this bill, increasing the positive financial impact…
Well that’s what I’m looking for to be honest Chris is the economic impact of this. As a state lawmaker I have a fiduciary responsibility to my state. I really feel strongly that we need to build a long-term sustainable economy. I’m part of a younger generation I’m 34 and my dad always said in his thick Maine accent, “Jeez Diane we should just legalize it and tax the hell out of it.” And so I’m sort of doing this in honor of my Dad. He’s right. Why are we letting this market go to waste? We’re one of the states where marijuana is already the top cash crop… this is so basic.
Support the effort in Maine with this online petition: http://signon.org/sign/support-mj-legalization
Full text of the new bill here: http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/billtexts/HP106701.asp