Maine’s Bangor Daily News reports of a proposed bill that would legalize marijuana for personal use.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Diane Russell, D-Portland, and co-sponsored by Rep. Aaron Libby, R-Waterboro, would make vast changes in Maine’s drug law, ranging from making possession of up to 2.5 ounces of pot legal to imposing a tax of $50 per ounce.

What’s interesting is Libby’s rationale for legalization:

Libby said his support for the bill isn’t about promoting drug use, but rather about taking government regulation out of what he called a “morality issue.”

“I believe that ending marijuana prohibition is a true part of limited government,” said Libby. “As a fiscal conservative, I see great potential in the economic growth of removing these prohibitions.”

Diane Russell believes that legalization could generate as much as $13 million yearly in revenue.

Although it looks to be an unscientific poll, as a sidebar to the story the Daily News is asking readers to vote yea or nay on legalization; the results are currently running about 5 to 1 in favor of legalization.

Full story here