As we reported in this morning's Fizz, Seattle state Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson (D-36) is proposing legislation to legalize pot and tax it. (Never mind a booze solution to the recession.)

This afternoon, Rep. Dickerson gave us more details. First of all, she admits that it's a "fairly dramatic" proposal, and says, "I don't expect it to pass."  However—re: the fact that federal law outlaws pot— she says, "I'm happy to start the conversation. If more states start talking about [legalizing marijuana] it will get the attention of Congress."

Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson (D-36, Ballard, Belltown, Magnolia, Queen Anne)

Dickerson wants Washington farmers to grow pot and sell it in our state's liquor stores. The revenue, she says, will go to pay for drug and alcohol treatment programs (and to cover the WSLCB's costs for adding the new product to its shelves.) She estimates the revenues from pot sales would be similar to booze sale revenues, which are currently at $330 million.

Rep. Dickerson has five co-sponsors including: Seattle Rep. Scott White (D-46), and Reps. Roger Goodman (D-45) (a longtime drug reform advocate), Dave Upthegrove (D-33), Sherry Appleton (D-23), and Mary Roberts (D-21).