Pubdate: Wed, 05 Aug 2015
Source: Boston Herald (MA)
Copyright: 2015 The Boston Herald, Inc
Contact:  http://news.bostonherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/53
Note: Prints only very short LTEs.
Authors: Hillary Chabot and Chris Villani

DRACUT REP VOWS TO OPPOSE BALLOT INITIATIVES TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA

A state lawmaker opposed to legalizing marijuana vowed to fight 
pro-pot ballot initiatives expected to be filed today, saying she'll 
join others taking on state Senate President Stanley C. Rosenberg, 
who backs legalizing pot and already has an advance copy of one of 
the questions.

"We all see what opioids do. I don't think we should be adding fuel 
to the already raging drug issues in Massachusetts," said state Rep. 
Colleen M. Garry (D-Dracut), who joins high-profile pols such as Gov. 
Charlie Baker, House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo and Hub Mayor Martin J. 
Walsh in opposing marijuana legalization.

The renewed opposition comes as groups looking to end pot prohibition 
plan to file four different questions by 5 p.m. today for Attorney 
General Maura Healey to review as part of the ballot initiative process.

Rosenberg said on Boston Herald Radio yesterday that he received an 
advance copy of one of the questions Monday night.

"I've asked my staff to begin to review the version that was just 
submitted so that I can get a handle on how it compares to other 
states that have legalized it," said Rosenberg. His office said the 
Amherst Democrat isn't collaborating with any of the groups who wrote 
the pro-pot ballot initiatives.

Officials with the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol plan a 
press conference today at 1 p.m. before they file their initiative.

"Our petition initiative will create a system that regulates 
marijuana like alcohol," said spokesman Jim Borghesani. "It would be 
taxed and create revenue and jobs for the commonwealth."

Bay State Repeal, meanwhile, will file three questions in an effort 
to find the best summary that appeals to Healey, said spokesman Steve 
Epstein. It is Healey who has the final say on the wording of the 
questions that could appear before voters in the fall of 2016.

Once Healey reviews the questions, the groups must then gather more 
than 64,750 signatures and hand them in to Secretary of State William 
Galvin to get the initiative they favor on the ballot.

The ballot deadline comes one day after the Boston Zoning Board of 
Appeals unanimously granted Patriot Care a permit to open a medical 
marijuana facility on Milk Street.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom