For the first time since 1911, starting today, marijuana is legal for everyone in Massachusetts! Well, everyone over 21, that is. Question 4, like every successful marijuana legalization initiative in the country, set the purchase and … [Read more...]
State officials need to respect voters’ decision to legalize marijuana
Over the past year, state officials from both parties tried in vain to scare voters away from legalizing marijuana. In spite of — or perhaps even because of — this fear-mongering, 54% of Massachusetts residents voted yes on question 4 to … [Read more...]
Latest WBUR poll is good news for marijuana reformers
WBUR and MassINC released a poll today, showcasing voter attitudes about the various ballot questions to be voted on in November. The top-line results have been getting a lot of attention, with Yes on 4 garnering 50% to the No camp's 45%, … [Read more...]
Citizens’ Initiative Review findings very favorable for marijuana legalization
Over the past year, the state government has been running a trial program of something called the Citizens' Initiative Review (CIR), a system pioneered in Oregon and intended to help the general public better understand ballot questions. … [Read more...]
No, Question 4 would not “create more pot shops than McDonald’s and Starbucks combined.”
Earlier this month, the Campaign for a Safe and Healthy Massachusetts (the vaguely named organization pushing against Question 4, which would legalize marijuana for adults) sent out an email that warned voters, "We know their playbook. Pass … [Read more...]
Elizabeth Warren “open to” voting yes on Question 4, marijuana legalization
Asked her thoughts on Question 4, which would legalize and regulate marijuana in Massachusetts, Senator Elizabeth Warren did not quite say she's voting yes — but she did make some very supportive statements and say she is "open to" voting … [Read more...]
Marijuana legalization in Colorado & Washington hasn’t increased youth use
One of the main arguments against marijuana legalization is that it will inevitably increase underage people's access to marijuana, therefore increasing their use of the drug. But two studies released in the last month — one about Colorado … [Read more...]
A response to Senator Lewis on marijuana legalization
As many of you saw, last week BMG had some great discussions on the ballot initiative to regulate marijuana like alcohol that will be voted on this November. It began with my post asking why progressive organization ActBlue was working with … [Read more...]
Why is ActBlue supporting a regressive cause like marijuana prohibition?
Unnoticed in the flurry of press last week around the formation by Governor Charlie Baker, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, and House Speaker Robert DeLeo of a committee opposing the marijuana ballot initiative was the company selected for the … [Read more...]
Voters support marijuana legalization; Baker, Walsh, & DeLeo don’t
A new poll from Western New England University found that 57% of Massachusetts voters support the ballot question to legalize marijuana for adults over 21, with only 35% opposed. 7% remain undecided (1% declined to give an answer). Full … [Read more...]