Section 1301 - Purpose and findings(a) In the interest of creating jobs with community benefits, eliminating the marijuana illegal market to allow law enforcement to focus on violent crime and property crimes, and promoting individual freedom, the General Assembly finds and declares that the personal use of marijuana should be legal for persons 21 years of age or older and taxed in a manner similar to alcohol.(b) In the interest of the health and public safety of our citizenry, the General Assembly further finds and declares that marijuana must be regulated in a manner similar to alcohol to ensure all of the following:(1) Individuals will have to show proof of age before purchasing marijuana.(2) Selling, distributing, or transferring marijuana to individuals under the age of 21 remains illegal.(3) Driving under the influence of marijuana remains illegal.(4) Legitimate, taxpaying businesspeople, not criminal actors, conduct sales of marijuana.(5) Marijuana sold in this State will be tested, labeled, and subject to additional regulations to ensure that consumers are informed and protected.(c) The General Assembly further finds and declares that it is necessary to ensure consistency and fairness throughout this State, and therefore, that the matters addressed by this chapter are of statewide concern, except as specified in this chapter.Added by Laws 2023 , ch. 24, s 4Section 15 of the enacting legislation provides that this section takes effect upon the later of the following: (a) Publication in the Register of Regulations of a notice by the Controller General that the funds required to implement this Act have been appropriated. (b) Upon enactment.