A House Committee will hold a hearing on a bill that would legalize possession of up to a pound of marijuana and set up a system for licensing growers and retailers and taxing the sale of pot.

Representative Chris Kelly (D-Columbia)

Representative Chris Kelly (D-Columbia)

Representative Chris Kelly (D-Columbia) took the language from one of several initiative petitions with similar aims. He argues there is no evidence that marijuana is any more dangerous than alcohol or other substances.

His bill would create exemptions for those who grow their own marijuana, allowing an individual to have up to eight plants without a tax or license and up to 16 ounces of usable marijuana or solid marijuana and up to 72 ounces of marijuana in liquid form.

The hearing is in the basement of the Capitol Monday at 5 p.m. or when the House adjourns in the afternoon.  The legislation is HB 1659.