Recreational pot use question might be on Mass. ballot [View all]

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/article/20150805/NEWS/150808425/0/breaking_ajax

Recreational pot use question might be on Mass. ballot
By Steve LeBlanc/The Associated Press
Posted Aug. 5, 2015 at 1:45 PM
Updated at 5:20 PM

BOSTON — Massachusetts voters could get a chance to decide whether to legalize the recreational use of marijuana if any of several proposed pro-pot questions filed with the state attorney general's office Wednesday reach the 2016 ballot.

A group called The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol submitted an initiative petition on Wednesday that would allow adults 21 years of age and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana and also grow a "limited" amount of the plant in their homes.

It would set up a regulated system of licensed marijuana retail outlets, cultivation facilities, product manufacturing facilities and testing facilities overseen by a commission similar to the Alcohol Beverage Control Commission.

The question would also create a new 3.75 percent state excise tax on retail marijuana sales in addition to the standard state sales tax of 6.25 percent. The question would also allow cities and towns to set an additional local sales tax of up to 2 percent. Medical marijuana wouldn't be subject to the additional taxes.