Massachusetts lawmakers weighing a ballot proposal to roll back the state’s voter-approved marijuana legalization law had some pointed questions for a spokesperson representing the anti-cannabis campaign, with several signaling skepticism about the motivations behind the repeal measure and its implications for consumers and businesses.
At a hearing before the Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions on Monday, members took testimony from both sides of the issue as they fulfill state election law that requires the legislature to review proposed ballot initiatives for potential action. If they decline to act on the initiative, the campaign will need to collected a final batch of signatures to secure placement on the November ballot.
Wendy Wakeman, a spokesperson for the ballot referendum committee sponsoring “An Act to Restore A Sensible Marijuana Policy,” gave opening remarks defending the measure, arguing that the marijuana law approved by voters in 2016 has had a “negative effect on public health, public safety and public comfort and convenience.”
“The upshot is that legalization of marijuana has not been a net positive for the citizens of our state,” she said, arguing that increases in THC potency over the years poses a public health risk, that marijuana use has been inadequately studied
Read full article on Marijuana Moment
