Pubdate: Thu, 28 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

MASS. SUPERINTENDENTS OPPOSE MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION

The Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, saying it is 
worried legalizing marijuana for adults will make it easier for kids 
to gain access to the drug, came out Wednesday against a likely 
ballot question to make marijuana legal for recreational use.

"As superintendents, our primary focus is on helping each and every 
student reach their full potential, and we believe the commercial 
legalization of marijuana runs directly counter to that goal," the 
executive director of the association, Tom Scott, said in a 
statement. "Where marijuana is legal, we see increased use and abuse 
by young people."

Backers disputed that claim.

"We've actually seen use among young people remain flat or go down in 
Colorado," where recreational marijuana sales for adults began in 
2014, said Jim Borghesani, spokesman for the Campaign to Regulate 
Marijuana Like Alcohol in Massachusetts, which is backing the ballot 
effort in this state.

"We think the more dangerous market is the one that exists today - 
where drug dealers don't ask for IDs," Borghesani said, echoing a 
main argument of backers that children will be safer when marijuana 
sales move from the street to licensed stores that sell only to adults.

Studies have found different results on the issue.

The group of education leaders, which represents 277 superintendents 
and 148 assistant superintendents, joins several other organizations 
opposing the referendum.

The Massachusetts Hospital Association, Massachusetts Medical 
Society, the Associated Industries of Massachusetts - a business 
group that represents employers - and every district attorney in the 
state have also come out in opposition to the legalization push.

Much of the political activity against the effort is coming from the 
recently formed Campaign for a Safe and Healthy Massachusetts, which 
is backed by politicians including Governor Charlie Baker and Mayor 
Martin J. Walsh of Boston.

Should the proposed law make the ballot, and should voters 
green-light it in November, possessing, using, and giving away 1 
ounce or less of recreational marijuana would be legal for adults 21 
and older as of Dec. 15, and retail sales could start in January 2018.

Opponents insist legal marijuana will harm kids, families, and 
communities. They worry it would boost the accessibility of marijuana 
for youth and increase the perception among kids that marijuana is safe.

Backers counter that legalization would end more than a century of 
failed prohibition that has ensnared otherwise law-abiding citizens 
in the criminal justice system. They argue it would divert money from 
criminal syndicates to companies operating on the up and up. And they 
maintain legal marijuana sales would help fill state coffers with new 
tax dollars.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom