(WTXL) - An Oregon lawmaker is proposing a bill that would regulate marijuana like alcohol.
Oregon Senator Ron Wyden proposed Senate Bill 420 that would give states a free hand to allow legal cannabis markets without the threat of the federal government.
Identical to a bill in the House, the proposal aims to ease the conflict between states, where marijuana is legal in some form, and the U.S. government.
The proposal would remove federal criminal penalties for individuals and businesses acting in agreement with the state marijuana laws. It would also reduce barriers for legal marijuana businesses to get access to banking.
A separate bill would impose a tax on marijuana products, similar to federal excise taxes on alcohol, while another would allow state-legal marijuana businesses to claim tax deductions and credits.
