1st victory also could be last gasp for Calif. pot legalization bill, despite lawmaker support
By APTuesday, January 12, 2010
Committee approves Calif. pot legalization bill
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Its first victory could also be the last gasp for a California bill that would treat marijuana as alcohol is for taxation and regulation.
The state Assembly’s public safety committee voted 4-3 for the bill on Tuesday.
But the health committee also must approve the measure by Friday before the full Assembly can consider it, which is unlikely.
The health committee is not considering the bill during its meeting Tuesday. And the bill’s backers would have to get a special waiver to reconvene the health committee later this week.
If the bill does die, a spokesman for bill author Assemblyman Tom Ammiano says the San Francisco Democrat would hold off on reintroducing legislation until after the November election, which could feature a marijuana legalization ballot proposition.
