http://pr.cannazine.co.uk : Whilst the United Kingdom weigh's up the risks between horse riding and tripping on ecstasy, or what classification cannabis should be in the eyes of the law, in the United States the debate put forward by Californian Assemblyman Tom Ammiano is a little more concentrated and far less ambiguous and conveluted.
Simply put the political machine within the state of California is discussing whether cannabis should be made legal for recreational use, and taxed alongside tobacco and alcohol. Although the British law-makers would probably prefer the public never got to hear about it.
Democrat Tom Ammiano
Ammiano recently presided over what his office has called "the first legislative consideration of the issue of cannabis legalisation since California banned the drug in 1913."
Before the hearing, the San Francisco Democrat called the criminalisation of cannabis for recreational purposes a failed policy, and one that denies the state a significant revenue stream. The polar opposite of what Ammiano's political counterparts in the UK have to say on the issue.
Why not drop by and say 'high' on the first British cannabis forum to overtly support the decriminalization of cannabis. We have the facts on our side. Now we just have to tell the people. Please join us!
He said the bill could put the state of California in a position to set a national agenda on the worlds favourite recreational drug.
"I think we have a real shot at it this time", said Ammiano. "Particularly in the context of it being in some ways bigger than 'just being about California'."
His bill would tax and regulate marijuana in the state much like alcohol. Adults 21 and older could legally possess, grow and sell marijuana. The state would charge a $50-per-ounce fee and a 9 percent tax on retail sales.
In the United Kingdom however the press, driven by our (some would say corrupt) political machine has chosen today to bring to book the chairman of the governments own Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD).
Professor David Nutt is on the carpet over remarks he made concerning the dangers surrounding ecstasy (he said riding a horse is more dangerous than taking ecstasy).
In a briefing paper for a lecture at King's College, London, Professor Nutt attacks what he called the "artificial" separation of alcohol and tobacco from other, illegal drugs.
In the controversial paper, Professor Nutt says the drug classification policy has become "quite complex and highly politicised" and former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith's decision to reclassify cannabis sent mixed, confusing messages."
He also added: "I think we have to accept young people like to experiment - with drugs and other potentially harmful activities - and what we should be doing is to protect them from harm at this stage of their lives. We have to provide more accurate and credible information."
He adds: "If you think that scaring kids will stop them using, you are probably wrong," and according to the amounts of British teenagers using cannabis its fair to suggest Mr Nutt is far more in touch with the nations drug issue than any of the politicians who hold the power to actually do anything about it.
Meanwhile, back in California and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has said he does not support legalisation. But he caused a stir in May 09 when he said he was open to debate on the issue.
Supporters of Ammiano's bill noted the state already collects taxes from medical marijuana dispensaries with little federal interference.
Legal experts on both sides also agreed at the informational hearing that nothing in current federal law can prevent California from stripping criminal penalties for marijuana from its own books.
"If California decides to legalize marijuana, there's nothing in the Constitution that stands in its way," said Tamar Todd, a staff attorney for the pro-legalization Drug Policy Alliance .
State tax collectors presented an estimate that Ammiano's bill could generate nearly $1.4 billion annually in tax revenue. Which is quite a chunk of green no matter which way you look at it.
Green/Eco/Environment 
