The Marijuana Policy Committee, made up of both senators and representatives, recommended a revised bill to the House on Monday which is likely to be taken up on the House floor on Wednesday.
The bill, which was revised after a similar bill was heavily criticized last week, is one of two intended to regulate the state’s new recreational marijuana industry now making their way through the Legislature. Sen. Pat Jehlen of Somerville already drafted an amendment to the bill that rewrites major provisions of the House bill. The Senate version will likely replace the House version for a vote on Thursday.
The two versions will go to conference committee where differences will be worked out before it is sent to the Governor.
“I’m very confident (we’ll come to agreement),” said State Rep. Mark Cusack (Braintree), who co-chaired the Marijuana Policy Committee. “We’ve been in agreement, that’s reflected in the Senate bill… we’re there about 80 percent of the way.”
Jehlen, who also co-chaired the committee, said she also believes a compromise can be reached.
Marijuana advocates came out in support of the Senate’s bill on Monday, saying it respects what the voters passed in November.
“(The House bill) would still result in significant delays because it takes a punitive approach to anyone who wants to enter the marijuana business,” said Jim Borghesani, a spokesman Yes on Four, the group that worked to pass the ballot question legalizing recreational marijuana.
The two bills mainly differ in the taxation rate, local control provisions and details around participation in the industry. The House version sets a revised 28 percent tax, which would no longer be compounded as marijuana moves from cultivator to retailer. Meanwhile Senators envision a 12 percent tax rate, the level written by the ballot passed in November.
“We have stark differences on where we need to be for revenue and cover our basis to make sure we have enough revenue that we don’t fall short,” Cusack said. “It’s always easier to be for a tax cut than tax increase. You always want to start high and bring it down. That’s why the house came in where we had with so many unknowns.”
credit:bizjournals.com
