Marijuana supporters lash out against legalization delay
Andy Metzger/SHNS
Keith Saunders was among the marijuana supporters who handed out buds in front of the State House the day pot became legal in the state.
Legal marijuana supporters are angry over the Legislature's effort Wednesday to fast-gavel a bill delaying legal sales of the drug and plan on Friday to protest what they are calling an "arrogant and cowardly move."
Legislators in recent weeks have been complaining that they don't believe they have enough time to address what they view as problematic provisions in the voter law. On Wednesday, they produced a bill delaying retail sales for six months - until July 2018 - and rushed it to Gov. Charlie Baker, who called the delay "perfectly appropriate."
Marijuana activists are frustrated that the delay bill was approved so quickly and without notice during sessions attended by only a handful of lawmakers, and also oppose the six-month delay, saying it "flies in the face of the will of the voters who voted for the January 2018 deadline."
"MassCann/NORML, which has been working since 1989 to end marijuana prohibition, is appalled at this arrogant and cowardly move, whose effect will be to give the black market another six-month monopoly and deprive the Commonwealth of the considerable revenue that it might generate in taxes from January to July," the group said in a statement Thursday afternoon. "We urge Governor Baker not to sign this shameful and unwise piece of legislation, and we will be protesting tomorrow, Friday, December 30, at the Statehouse at noon. We invite all to join us who think that the will of the voters and the integrity of the legislative process should be respected."
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