Pubdate: Fri, 15 Apr 2016
Source: Boston Globe (MA)
Copyright: 2016 Globe Newspaper Company
Contact: http://services.bostonglobe.com/news/opeds/letter.aspx?id=6340
Website: http://bostonglobe.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/52
Author: Joshua Miller

PRO-MARIJUANA GROUP CALLS OUT BAKER, WALSH

Advocates of marijuana legalization are accusing Governor Charlie 
Baker and Mayor Martin J. Walsh of hypocrisy for supporting the 
expansion of alcohol sales while backing an effort to stop the 
legalization of marijuana.

A day after the two announced they are launching a political effort 
to kill a likely legalization ballot question, the campaign backing 
the pro-cannabis referendum will hold a Friday news conference. 
There, the group will assert it's contradictory to support the 
expansion of one and not the other - because, it argues, alcohol is 
far more dangerous than marijuana.

For Baker and Walsh "to oppose the failed system of marijuana 
prohibition while backing easier access to alcohol is the height of 
hypocrisy," said Jim Borghesani, communications director for the 
legalization ballot group.

He said the group, the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in 
Massachusetts, wants to make the public aware of "the blatant dual 
standard in the actions" of Baker and Walsh.

Borghesani pointed to, among other actions, Walsh pressing to keep 
bars and restaurants open later, and for more liquor licenses for the 
city; and Baker pushing to let cities and towns other than Boston 
have more leeway to issue liquor licenses without going through the 
Legislature, and allowing retailers who sell alcohol to also serve 
alcohol in in-house restaurants.

A newly formed opposition group sets the stage for a bitter and 
expensive battle this fall. Legal marijuana could be a $1.1b industry 
in Mass. by 2020

Borghesani said, "Marijuana is less toxic, less addictive, and less 
likely to lead to reckless and dangerous behavior."

At the planned 11 a.m. news conference at the State House, the 
advocates expect to show off a sign with a photo of Baker and Walsh 
with a speech bubble over their heads that says: "Our health policy: 
Drink more alcohol!"

The critique could anger supporters of Walsh, a recovering alcoholic 
who has spent years advocating for people struggling with addiction. 
During his time in the Legislature, the Democrat built a record of 
pressing for increased funding for substance abuse services and was 
often personally involved in helping people get into recovery.

Baker, a Republican, has couched his support for his liquor-related 
proposals as both bureaucracy-cutting and economic stimulus measures. 
And the most notable health policy proposal (and, eventually, law) 
from the governor was a comprehensive bill to fight the scourge of 
opioid abuse and overdoses in the state.

Baker, Walsh, and House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo on Thursday formally 
launched an anti-legalization campaign that also includes a coalition 
of doctors, law enforcement officials, and addiction specialists. The 
effort will warn that approving the measure would increase marijuana 
use among youths.

The proposed referendum would legalize marijuana for those 21 and 
older, and allow retail sales beginning in January 2018.

Jim O'Sullivan of the Globe staff contributed to this report.
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