Bill That Would Legalize Marijuana in California Passes Committee

A bill that would legalize and tax marijuana was passed Tuesday by a key panel of the California Assembly.

The Public Safety Committee voted 4-3 to approve the proposal sponsored by Democratic Assemblyman Tom Ammiano of San Francisco, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The new law would make marijuana legal to grow and possess for residents at least 21 years old.

"The way it exists now is harming our youth,'' Ammiano said. "Drug dealers do not ask for ID. We need to regulate something that has gone chaotic, has resulted in carnage. I understand it's not everybody's cup of tea.''

Opponents, including prosecutors and police, said legalization would lead to higher crime rates.

The measure now heads to the Health Committee. If that panel doesn't act on it by Friday's deadline, the proposal would have to be reintroduced to be heard by the full Assembly.

Supporters say state-run studies have found that taxes on marijuana could raise as much as $1.4 billion in annual revenue.

Polls show that a majority of California voters support legalization. An April Field Poll found that 56 percent of state voters want to legalize and tax pot as a way to help solve the state's fiscal crisis.

California voters approved marijuana for medical use in 1996.