Bill filed to legalize recreational marijuana in Mass.

Feeling pressure from an anticipated 2016 ballot question on the issue, a group of legislators have filed a bill to legalize, regulate and tax recreational marijuana.
 
The bill, introduced by Sen. Patricia Jehlen of Somerville and Rep. David Rogers of Cambridge and co-sponsored by 13 others, is already drawing opposition from Gov. Charlie Baker, Attorney General Maura Healey, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, and numerous district attorneys.
 
If passed, the legislation would allow Massachusetts residents over the age of 21 to possess up to 10 ounces of marijuana or up to 10 pounds of marijuana-infused products.
 
Four states – Alaska, Colorado, Oregon and Washington – and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational marijuana through ballot questions.
 
In Colorado, the legal sale of recreational marijuana generated $53 million in tax revenue in its first year. Recreational marijuana was taxed at a rate of 28 percent. Medical marijuana was taxed at 2.9 percent and generated an additional $16 million in tax revenue last year.
 
As marijuana policy discussions continue at the state level, three U.S. senators have introduced a bill in Congress that would remove the threat of prosecution for patients and dispensaries in states where medical marijuana is legal.
 
A part of last December’s federal spending resolution contained language prohibiting the Drug Enforcement Agency from using funds to prosecute medical marijuana cultivation or use that is in compliance with state laws, but that language will expire in September.
 
The federal legislation would also change the classification of marijuana under the 1970 Controlled Substances Act from a Schedule I to a Schedule II drug, indicating that it may have a medical use and opening up medical research possibilities.
 
Additional new federal legislation related to marijuana includes a bill to regulate it similarly to the way alcohol is regulated, and a bill to set up a federal excise tax for states with regulated marijuana usage.
 
The implementation of the Massachusetts medical marijuana law, passed by voters in 2012, is expected to progress with the first opening of a medical marijuana dispensary anticipated this month in Salem.