Massachusetts legislature backs deal on recreational pot law
Source: Associated Press
Bob Salsberg, Associated Press
Updated 4:26 pm, Wednesday, July 19, 2017
BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts lawmakers signed off Wednesday on a compromise bill that makes changes to the voter-approved law that legalized adult use of recreational marijuana and expressed confidence the revamped measure could withstand any legal challenge.
The House of Representatives voted 136-11 to accept the recommendations of a six-member conference committee that spent weeks trying to resolve differences between the House and Senate on issues including taxes and local control.
The Senate, without debate, also approved the bill which was expected to be formally sent to Gov. Charlie Baker's desk following a routine procedural vote on Thursday.
The compromise sets a 10.75 percent state excise tax on recreational marijuana that would be assessed on top of the state's regular 6.25 percent sales tax. Local communities can also tack on additional 3 percent tax on pot sales, for an effective 20 percent tax. Medical marijuana would remain untaxed.
Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Marijuana-compromise-faces-votes-in-House-Senate-11298358.php
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