Bill introduced to legalize, regulate, tax marijuana

As a 64-year-old woman with a grandchild, state Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson, D-Seattle, says she's not the type of person you would normally associate with marijuana.

And yet Dickerson has again introduced legislation that would legalize, regulate and tax marijuana in Washington state.

"I believe that it's a smart way to raise badly needed revenue," said Dickerson, who chairs the House Health and Human Services Appropriations and Oversight Committee. "It also would at the same time mean that we can focus our law-enforcement efforts on more important things."

House Bill 1550, filed Tuesday, would regulate marijuana much like alcohol. It proposes that pot be sold through state liquor stores to adults age 21 and older, that the sales be taxed and that the state Liquor Control Board issue licenses to commercial growers. Most of the revenue would go to health care, and substance-abuse treatment and prevention.

The bill would also classify as felonies interstate transportation of marijuana and unauthorized transportation of marijuana within Washington above a certain amount.

Dickerson proposed a similar bill last year, but it failed in a House committee.

New provisions in this year's bill include authorizing the production of industrial hemp and allowing limited growing of marijuana at home for personal use.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington state supports the bill.

Rep. Christopher Hurst, D-Enumclaw, chairman of the House Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee, said he is willing to hold a hearing on the bill and to put it to a committee vote.

Hurst noted, however, that the bill runs counter to federal laws prohibiting marijuana sales.

Proponents say $400 million each biennium would be raised through cannabis sales and licensing fees. Hurst, however, said federal laws would prevent the state from keeping the money.

"That being said, I think states should regulate marijuana as opposed to the federal government," Hurst added.

Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Renton, plans to introduce a companion bill to Dickerson's proposal in the state Senate.

Joanna Nolasco: 360-236-8266 or jnolasco@seattletimes.com