Pubdate: Sat, 16 Apr 2016
Source: Pawtucket Times (RI)
Copyright: 2016 The Pawtucket Times
Contact:  http://www.pawtuckettimes.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1286

GROUP: BAKER, WALSH HYPOCRITICAL IN OPPOSING MARIJUANA INITIATIVE

BOSTON (AP) - A group supporting legalized use of recreational 
marijuana in Massachusetts said Friday that Gov. Charlie Baker and 
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh are being hypocritical by supporting more 
liquor licenses while opposing the pot initiative.

The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol leveled the charge 
one day after Baker, Walsh and other top officials announced 
formation of a committee to fight a likely November ballot question 
that would allow Massachusetts residents 21 and older to possess up 
to 1 ounce of marijuana.

The group unveiled a poster outside the Statehouse showing the faces 
of Baker and Walsh, who is a recovering alcoholic, with a speech 
bubble that read: "Our Health Policy: Drink More Alcohol."

Will Luzier, campaign manager for the pro-marijuana group, said pot 
was less toxic and less addictive than alcohol "and does not 
contribute to violent or risky behavior."

Lizzy Guyton, a spokeswoman for the governor, said Baker believes 
voters should get more than "unfortunate and insensitive attacks from 
those seeking to open a new billion-dollar commercial marijuana 
industry in the Commonwealth."

Luzier said Baker and Walsh have backed legislation that would relax 
the state's liquor licensing rules to potentially allow more 
establishments to open. Walsh, a Democrat, has also proposed a later 
closing time for Boston bars while Baker, a Republican, supported a 
2010 ballot question that repealed the state sales tax on alcohol, 
which is also subject to excise taxes, he said.

Luzier defended the depiction of Walsh in the poster.

"I know Mayor Walsh personally and his advocacy for the expansion of 
operating hours for alcohol establishments and the expansion of 
licenses in the city of Boston, I believe, are in conflict with his 
position as a recovering alcoholic," he said.

Walsh called the poster "foolish" and defended his opposition to the 
marijuana proposal.

"I don't understand the reasoning behind legalizing marijuana," the 
mayor told WFXT-TV. "The effects on the community are going to be far 
greater than the benefits."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom