Under the bill marijuana users, sellers and growers would have to be over 21 years of age and the state would charge a 9% tax on all sales, which is estimated to run at about $50 of taxes per ounce.

The victory for marijuana advocates is considered to be largely symbolic, as the bill must still be reviewed by another senate committee before it will be voted on. This second committee will not look at the bill for some time. Regardless, the drug’s supporters are still optimistic.

”We’re thrilled. This to me, this is the formal beginning of the end of marijuana prohibition in the United States”, said Stephen Gutwillig of the Drug Policy Alliance, a pro-legalization group.

To read more on the measure, see the article in Top News. Image Via Eric Caballero [Flickr].