HB 449 Summary

• Legalizes possession of up to one ounce of marijuana and cultivation of up to five plants for personal use by adults 21 and older, effective July 1, 2017.

• Establishes licensing system for four types of marijuana establishments: cultivation facilities, testing facilities, product manufacturing facilities, and retail stores, administered by the Department of Health.

• Imposes excise tax on sales of marijuana and marijuana products (specific rate blank in bill text) and creates education special fund to receive marijuana tax revenues for public schools.

• Allows employers, schools, and property owners to prohibit marijuana use on their premises and does not override impaired driving laws or affect medical marijuana provisions.

• Department of Health must adopt implementing regulations within 120 days and begin accepting license applications by July 1, 2018, with licenses issued within 90 days of application.