Profiles In Cannabis: Tom Ammiano

http://blog.norml.org/2009/09/18/profiles-in-cannabis-tom-ammiano/

September 18th, 2009 By: Brian Judy, NORML Webmaster

California state Assemblyman Tom AmmianoNORML is proud to confirm that California state Assemblyman Tom Ammiano will be delivering the opening remarks at the 2009 National Conference in San Francisco, CA.

In February, Assemblyman Ammiano introduced legislation to legalize and regulate the commercial production and sale of cannabis for adults age 21 or over. The proposal — Assembly Bill 390: The Marijuana Control, Regulation and Education Act — is the first bill ever to be introduced in the California legislature that seeks to tax and control the sale of cannabis.

Says Ammiano: “With the state in the midst of an historic economic crisis, the move towards regulating and taxing marijuana is simply common sense. This legislation would generate much needed revenue for the state, restrict access to only those over 21, end the environmental damage to our public lands from illicit crops, and improve public safety by redirecting law enforcement efforts to more serious crimes. California has the opportunity to be the first state in the nation to enact a smart, responsible public policy for the control and regulation of marijuana.”

In July, a revised budgetary analysis by the California State Board of Equalization estimated that the passage of Ammiano’s bill would raise approximately $1.4 billion in annual new state revenue.

Tom Ammiano says, “Yes we cannabis” and so should you! Meet Tom and hundreds of other likeminded people at NORML’s 38th annual conference, taking place September 24-26 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in downtown San Francisco. For registration information, please visit: http://www.norml.org/conference.