YES
Paul J. Donato
State representative, Medford Democrat, House Second Assistant Majority Leader
The vote to delay implementation of the retail sale of recreational marijuana sales for six months was not an attempt to dismantle the will of the electorate, but to allow us to put in place the necessary safeguards and other measures needed to ensure the law is successful and truly represents the mandates of the people.
Careful attention must be given to the wholesale and retail business models of this new industry. Health, agriculture, enforcement, issuance of licenses, taxes, local siting of retail establishments, and criminal justice issues are just the beginning of many complicated questions before us. It takes time and revenue to establish the frameworks and regulatory infrastructure to ensure a safe system within the Commonwealth
Tax equity is one of the issues the state Legislature strongly feels needs to be addressed in the new ballot initiative. The measure presently calls for a 3.75 percent tax on marijuana sales. States that have legalized recreational marijuana all tax the sale at much higher rates. Even many proponents of the bill agree the tax rate would not provide sufficient revenue to fund the programs needed to implement and monitor this industry and address other issues that may develop from an increase in marijuana use. It is necessary to strike the correct balance: if the rate is too high, it encourages black market sales; and if its too low, it becomes a burden on our existing budget.
Local approval is another area requiring our attention. The current law requires a local ballot question if a municipality wants to opt out. Cities and towns need guidelines on that process and on how to license and monitor facilities within their jurisdiction.
Public safety concerns need to be addressed as well. This delay will afford the law enforcement community the opportunity to develop technology and other methods to assist in determining if someone is driving impaired because of marijuana use.
Properly labeling and packaging of marijuana edible products such as candies, cookies, and soda is needed to protect the public from ingesting foods they might be allergic to or unfamiliar with.
These important issues have remained largely unaddressed by the ballot initiative, and it is incumbent upon the Legislature to ensure the safety of the Commonwealth while upholding the will of the people.
NO
Bill Downing
Reading resident, Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition board member
Seven of our 200 state legislators meeting in secret informal session changed a law we voters passed less than two months ago. Changing a law passed by voters is bad enough. Doing it by effectively bypassing our democratic process is much worse.
The way the ballot law was changed was shameful, but the intention was even worse. They wanted to show us voters we got it wrong and these seven legislators and others who supported the delay know better what we want than we the voters do.
Im a voter and I voted for Question 4, which regulates the adult cannabis market. Like most of my acquaintances who supported the ballot question, my most pressing reason for favoring it was to reduce or eliminate the existing black market.
The black market causes horrific damage, and delaying implementation of the law will allow that underground market to thrive even longer, absorbing dollars that in a legitimate above-ground market would go towards construction, jobs, healthcare, insurance, and much-needed tax revenues. Instead, the money will continue to go into the pockets of those willing to break the law. Some are just peaceful neighbors and farmers, but some are part of violent gangs and cartels.
The legislators who engineered the six-month delay contend we need it because the state is unable to regulate cannabis on time. Yet all the states that have implemented similar laws legalizing recreational marijuana have done them on time. We have the luxury of learning from their experience and can save time by using their examples. Only in Massachusetts are state officials and politicians proving themselves too ineffective to regulate cannabis in a timely manner. That is, of course, if you really believe there is any need for a delay.
Like with the regulation of our anemic medical marijuana system a process that has dragged on for years this is the first of a thousand bloody cuts meant to thwart the will of the voters.
Legislators had cannabis regulation bills introduced every year for over 20 years and they chose to ignore their constituents and abrogate their responsibilities as lawmakers. Now that the people have done their jobs for them, legislators will finally work on the issue, but it will be to restore cannabis prohibition to whatever degree possible.
They must be stopped.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker
Full Article: Were State Leaders Right To Delay Recreational Marijuana Sales By Six Months?
Author: Staff
Contact: 1-888-694-5623
Photo Credit: Elaine Thompson
Website: The Boston Globe
