Maine has moved a step closer to legalizing marijuana for recreational use.
A bill — co-sponsored by Republican Rep. Aaron Russell and Democratic Rep. Diane Russell — was introduced Thursday to put the issue before voters,
The Bangor Daily News reports.
If passed, a statewide referendum would decide on a law that would legalize the possession of up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and levy a tax of $50 per ounce.
But under the law, it would still be illegal to smoke marijuana in public.
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The taxing and regulation of marijuana could earn the Pine Tree State an estimated $13 million a year.
“We have retail establishments that grow and supply [medical] marijuana to responsible consumers,” Russell told the newspaper.
“It’s now time to institute that same strict regulatory infrastructure for responsible adult recreational consumers.”