QUINCY -- Attorney General Maura Healey says she is "strongly opposed" to a marijuana legalization measure headed for the ballot this fall and fears that it could put the state's young people at risk. Speaking with The Patriot Ledger's editorial board Tuesday, Healey said she worries that voters who are "rightly concerned" about prisons crammed with non-violent drug users have gone too far by embracing the legalization of marijuana, which has been legal for medical use in Massachusetts since 2013. She pointed to reports of emergency room visits and fatalities from drugged-driving crashes in Colorado, the first state to legalize the drug for recreational use as well. [continues 275 words]
Regarding your Sept. 3 editorial ("Legalized marijuana has become a farce"), open access to medical marijuana has beneficial side effects. New research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) shows that states with medical marijuana access have a 25 percent lower opioid overdose death rate than marijuana prohibition states. This research finding has huge implications for states like Massachusetts that are struggling with prescription narcotic and heroin overdose deaths. The phrase "if it saves one life" has been used to justify all manner of drug war abuses. Legal marijuana access has the potential to save thousands of lives. The substitution effect was documented by California practitioners long before the JAMA research. [continues 51 words]
We didn't like the idea of medical marijuana when it was proposed in Massachusetts, and we certainly didn't like the law that won voter approval two years ago. The shortcomings of that law have become all too obvious and need to be addressed. The licensing of marijuana farms and dispensaries (isn't that an innocent sounding word?) has become a farce because of the questionable applications and the bureaucratic ineptitude of a review process dragging on under the direction of the state Department of Public Health. We are not unhappy that it has taken longer than forecast to get a marijuana industry up and running in the state, but the entire process is becoming embarrassing. [continues 495 words]
Why is it when it comes to marijuana you blindly adopt the liberal spendthrift claim "the state needs the revenue" when the truth is the preservation of our property and liberty depends upon the electorate being vigilant to insure the Legislature be frugal. Substance abuse treatment is a worthy recipient of revenue and better arguments for applying the old 5 percent sales tax (not the 6.25 percent sales tax passed in 2009) to marijuana and other products not exempt under current law made. You just did not make them. [continues 220 words]
The town council will hold public hearings Monday night on proposals that would restrict where dispensaries could open and impose strict licensing requirements for legal pot purveyors, covering everything from who can enter a dispensary to requiring facilities to have security cameras. WEYMOUTH - Town officials are looking to clamp down on the rules for medical marijuana dispensaries before any look to open up shop in Weymouth. The town council will hold public hearings Monday night on proposals that would restrict where dispensaries could open and impose strict licensing requirements for legal pot purveyors, covering everything from who can enter a dispensary to requiring facilities to have security cameras. [continues 289 words]
Town meeting voters approved a bylaw that would ban public consumption of marijuana on Marshfield's streets, but still allow qualified patients to consume the drug in public in non-smoking forms Monday, May 5. Voters also approved a zoning bylaw that would restrict a potential medical marijuana facility to the I-1 industrial zoning district in town Tuesday, April 29. MARSHFIELD -- Medical marijuana might be legalized in Massachusetts, but its use and distribution will be heavily regulated in Marshfield. Close to the end of town meeting on Monday night, May 5, the dwindling number of remaining voters approved a bylaw that would ban public consumption of marijuana on Marshfield's streets, but still allow qualified patients to use the drug in public in non-smoking forms, such as edible brownies or chocolates. Those who smoke pot in public would be slapped with a $300 fine for each offense. [continues 820 words]
Supporters of legalizing marijuana cite dramatically higher public support, but opponents warn that there are consequences that should make states think twice about bringing the drug out from the underground. Ben Cort, a recovering drug addict, and Joanne Naughton, a retired New York City police detective, comer down on opposite sides of the debate over legalizing marijuana. Colorado Center for Addiction, Dependency and Rehabilitation; John Meore, for the Middletown (N.Y.) Times Record-HeraldBen Cort, a recovering drug addict, and Joanne Naughton, a retired New York City police detective, comer down on opposite sides of the debate over legalizing marijuana. [continues 416 words]
QUINCY - One was an 18-year-old dumped in a snowbank near Quincy Medical Center in the midst of a heroin overdose. Another was brought to the Quincy police station near death by a family member. They are just two of the more than 180 people who have been saved thanks to a program to train and equip all Quincy police and Weymouth firefighters with the overdose-reversing drug Narcan, according to the two departments. "These numbers are phenomenal," said Detective Lt. Patrick Glynn, who heads the Quincy police drug unit. "That officer represents an option of life." [continues 280 words]
Officials are defending a drug search at the high school Friday that some parents have called an "overreaction." The hour-long search at Hanover High on Friday morning involved 14 drug-sniffing dogs and turned up several small quantities of marijuana, none larger than an ounce. Six students were each given a civil citation for possession of marijuana and seven students are facing disciplinary action. No students were criminally charged. School and police officials said the search was part of an ongoing effort to encourage responsible behavior among students and foster a drug-free environment in the schools. [continues 853 words]
Concerns over the location of treatment centers selling plant matter ("Our Opinion: Cities and towns need pot shop zoning guidance now"), which should be treated like any other herb, except for punishing the selling or gifting of it to children without parental consent, proves "reefer madness" persists in the minds of a minority who believe in a "nanny state." Except for the prohibition of sales to children, it should be sold like any other herb. That is, weighed on scales certified accurate by the Sealer of Weights and Measures, subject to the warranty of merchantability in accordance with other existing laws applicable to farm-stands and grocery stores. Attorney Steven S. Epstein of Georgetown is a founder of the Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition. [end]
In two months time, on May 1, the Department of Public Health will be required to hand down detailed regulations regarding the medical marijuana law. Included will be a determination of what constitutes a 60-day medical marijuana supply, as well as guidelines for those eligible to personally grow medical marijuana and the registration of dispensaries. The regulations can't come soon enough. With the law in effect as of January 1 and communities already in a dither about how to zone pot shops, it is our hope that DPH will give guidance to cities and towns on zoning pot shops before the May 1 deadline. The law states that in the first year, DPH may authorize up to 35 dispensaries, "provided that at least one treatment center shall be located in each county, and not more than five shall be located in any one county." It places no restrictions on how many can be authorized after the first year. [continues 448 words]
MARSHFIELD - A recent home invasion in which three men were tied up and one was severely injured was the latest drug-related crime in Marshfield, where the police chief says such crimes have been steadily increasing. "Not only have our calls for service increased, but the severity of the crimes has increased," Chief Phil Tavares said. In the past 18 months, Marshfield has had a murder, five armed home invasions, a stabbing and a string of robberies. Tavares said drugs can't be blamed for all of those crimes, but he said a drug epidemic is overextending his police force. [continues 391 words]
Any attempt to describe commonwealth voters as courageous is an idea that must be challenged. A recent article by the Tobacco-free Community Partnership praised them for their wisdom and courage for voting to raise taxes on cigarettes by 25 cents a pack back in 1992. This revenue was to be used to help smokers in their struggle to quit. I have no doubt that some have benefited from this program, but my experience is that people will quit when they are ready, and as in most government programs there is usually as much waste as benefit. Nevertheless, the "courageous" voters decided to raise a tax that wouldn't affect them in any way and then voted for medical marijuana, known for being the camel's nose under the tent regarding total decriminalization. [continues 96 words]
Over the past several weeks, I have spoken with hundreds of voters regarding the issue of medical marijuana, many of whom voted "Yes" on Question 3, all of whom now believe the law is vague and subject to exploitation. They worry that marijuana will become readily available to those without legitimate medical needs, yet not comfortably accessible by those who may benefit from its medical use. All have expressed a desire to ease the suffering of those with debilitating conditions, but want to do so in a responsible, rational manner. [continues 612 words]
BRAINTREE =AD Cities and towns south of Boston are looking for ways to relegate soon-to-be-legal medical marijuana clinics to the same neighborhoods set aside for porn shops, strip clubs and adult video stores. Officials in Quincy, Braintree and Hanover are considering restrictions that would limit medical marijuana treatment centers to adult entertainment zoning districts, typically located far from schools, homes and day care centers. Under the law, which voters approved Nov. 6, the state must register up to 35 marijuana centers by the end of 2013, including at least one in each county. [continues 468 words]
QUINCY - A city councilor has proposed an ordinance restricting where in Quincy medical-marijuana dispensaries can open, a response to the passage of a state ballot initiative that is expected to be echoed in communities across the state. The ordinance, drafted by Brian Palmucci, does not allow dispensaries within 1,500 feet of a residential district, school, child care facility or business that serves alcohol. It is being reviewed by the city's legal department. "While Quincy overwhelmingly supported that ballot initiative, I don't think residents would support a medical marijuana dispensary being established in their neighborhood," Palmucci said. "This isn't to say: You can't come to Quincy. This is to say we want to set some community standards." [continues 413 words]
Marijuana is not medicine and passing Question 3 would be a huge mistake. Recent research has shown that marijuana has damaging effects on the developing brain. Marijuana proponents are hoping the voting public are fools and won't read the whole question and understand the ramifications. They paint it as compassion. I see it as a disaster. This law bypasses all FDA oversight in testing drugs and quality control. Recent developments in Framingham have shown how this can be a problem. [continues 74 words]
The legalization of medical cannabis symbolizes more than just a large group of people several thousand in the Commonwealth gaining access to the only drug that adequately treats their illness without the fear of prosecution looming over their shoulders. The passage of ballot question 3, Massachusetts becoming the 18th state to legalize medical cannabis would represent yet another notch in the exposure of cannabis' Schedule 1 classification by the federal government as empirically illegitimate. That said, this week's release of the FBI's Uniform Crime Report comes at an opportune time to support the case for medical cannabis. In a climate of over 750,000 arrests being made yearly in this nation in the past decade, roughly 40 percent of which being issued for mere possession, as said report reflects, the notion of legally allowing possession for medical purposes is hardly radical, and refreshingly compassionate. To all those who favor truth over fear, progress over regression, compassion over condemnation, I urge you to vote yes on ballot question 3 this Tuesday. Randolph [end]
With some polls showing more than 60 percent support, the ballot question seeking to establish a medical marijuana program in the state appears likely to pass Tuesday. Supporters say if Question 3 is approved Tuesday, the use of medical marijuana will relieve the pain of Massachusetts residents dealing with serious illnesses. The law, however, would bring little economic benefit to the state, said Harvard University economist and drug law expert Jeffrey Miron. The ballot initiative would allow for the establishment of 35 medical marijuana treatment centers. The centers would provide marijuana to patients struggling with medical conditions, including cancer, glaucoma, AIDS and "other conditions, as determined in writing by a qualifying patient's physician." [continues 282 words]
The group pushing to legalize marijuana for medicinal uses in Massachusetts says that if the ballot question is approved, the state will become a national model for how to allow access to the drug without it being abused. The Committee for Compassionate Medicine touts the initiative's limit on the number of marijuana dispensaries allowed in the state - 35 - and its felony charge for those caught defrauding the system to obtain marijuana. The crime would be punishable by up to five years in prison. [continues 466 words]
