Pubdate: Tue, 05 Feb 2013 Source: Saratogian, The (NY) Copyright: The Saratogian 2013 Contact: http://www.saratogian.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2100 Note: from the Associated Press EFFORT BUILDING TO CHANGE US POT LAWS SEATTLE (AP) - An effort is building in Congress to change U. S. marijuana laws, including moves to legalize the industrial production of hemp and establish a hefty federal pot tax. While passage this year could be a longshot, lawmakers from both parties have been quietly working on several bills, the first of which Democratic Reps. Earl Blumenauer of Oregon and Jared Polis of Colorado plan to introduce Tuesday, Blumenauer told The Associated Press. Polis' measure would regulate marijuana the way the federal government handles alcohol: In states that legalize pot, growers would have to obtain a federal permit. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D