Pot proposals: Calif. sees tax windfall, N.J. eyes medical use

If some legislators get their way, marijuana could help ailing New Jerseyans - and help what's ailing California.

Legalizing and taxing California's supposedly biggest cash crop - pot - could add more than $1 billion a year to California's coffers, according to backers of a proposal put forward yesterday in Sacramento.

The idea would fly in the face of federal law, which bans the recreational use of marijuana.

Medical use of marijuana is legal in 13 states, including California.

New Jersey would join that group if a bill passed yesterday by a 22-16 vote in the state Senate becomes law.

Whether the Assembly will go along is unclear, observers say.

Under the bill, patients with chronic or terminal illnesses, such as cancer, glaucoma or AIDs, could grow up to six plants or have them grown at an approved facility.

Opponents fear the bill would increase illegal usage, while creating new headaches for police or other enforcement officials.

One poll showed that 86 percent of New Jerseyans favor such legislation, said Roseanne Scotti of the Drug Policy Alliance, which backs the bill.

The other states that permit marijuana to be used medically are Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

Legalizing pot in California would also free police to focus on more serious problems, according to Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, the San Francisco Democrat who proposed the bill in the Golden State.

"I think there's a mentality throughout the state and the country that this isn't the highest priority – and that maybe we should start to reassess," he said.

The bill would let adults 21 and older smoke weed out of public view, while making producers and sellers buy licenses and collect taxes.

Critics express concerns about public health.

To dodge the federal ban, the bill would prohibit local and state officials from taking part in marijuana-related arrests.

Backers hope federal law also might change.

Under the bill, part of the revenue raised from taxes and fees would go toward educating children about the dangers of smoking pot.

Inquirer wire services contributed to this report.