Tom Ammiano, a Democrat representing California's 13th State Assembly district, introduced this piece of legislation on February 23, 2009, arguing that the bill will "tax and regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol.
"[2][3] As introduced, this proposal is estimated to raise over $1 billion in annual revenue by taxing the retail production and sale of marijuana for adults 21 years of age and older.
[citation needed] In November 2010, the failed Proposition 19 was posed to Californian voters, and would have effectively made possession and cultivation of marijuana legal for citizens over the age of 21.
As Mr. Ammiano introduced the bill, he is quoted saying: With the state in the midst of an historic economic crisis, the move towards regulating and taxing marijuana is simply common sense.
[7] Prominent economists, specifically Jeffrey Miron,[8] support the regulation of Cannabis due to the heavy violence across the U.S. and Mexico border.