Bill introduced to legalize marijuana in Maryland

[Cheryl Shuman]

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -

A Maryland lawmaker has introduced a bill to legalize marijuana.

Delegate Curt Anderson introduced the measure in the House of Delegates on Thursday.

It would make marijuana legal for adults 21 and over and create a system to regulate and tax it like alcohol.

The measure introduced by the Baltimore Democrat also would direct the Maryland comptroller to license marijuana retail stores, wholesale facilities and testing facilities.

The bill would create an excise tax of $50 per ounce on wholesale sales and direct proceeds to fund treatment programs to prevent alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse.

Last November, voters in Colorado and Washington state approved measures to make marijuana legal for adults 21 and older.

[Candace Junkin]

Cheryl you KNOW I'm in the MD senate and the house testifying my heart out on these bills whenever I can be. And every time one of these bills comes up it gets more and more support. We're going to keep fighting. I believe Maryland can do it! We WILL do it. Because it's the right thing to do.

[Gregg1DC]

WOW!  That would be great!  I'm here in Maryland!  Gotta start doing some legwork here.