Nevada Pot Legalization, Joe Hogan: Lawmaker Introduces Marijuana Bill, Takes Aim at Ban, Legal Weed Market?

Nevada Lawmaker, Joe Hogan, is set to introduce a bill to the state Assembly today that for the legalization of marijuana. This legislation would make Nevada the sixth state to consider the legalization of the substance. Colorado and Washington were the first states to decriminalize marijuana and California allows the practice of medical marijuana. These states seem to be doing fine so far. When asked if he is a smoker himself, Hogan responded, "Maybe 45 years ago someone gifted me a few puffs, but I have not been a user at all."

"We've wasted a tremendous amount of money spoiling teenagers lives, chasing them around until we can arrest them for something. And marijuana is not just a harmless plant. The medical benefits are remarkable."

When Colorado was pushing for the decriminalization of pot, arguments for the bill sated that the substance would help boost the ski tourism rate for the state. Do you think that Nevada legislators will try a similar tactic? Some might argue that tourism to the state will grow, especially in Las Vegas.

Colorado and Washington are currently trying to figure out a plan to regulate the sale of marijuana. If Hogan's bill gets approved, this will be another step towards a legal weed market. According to Bloomberg, "if marijuana is legalized around the United States, estimates say that the market could be worth between $10 billion and $120 billion per year, with an estimate of between $35 billion and $45 billion in taxes."