Robert Celt
New Member
State Sen. Richard Ross is in Colorado with several colleagues looking into the impact of legalized recreational marijuana.
Ross, R-Wrentham, is on a special committee studying what will happen if Massachusetts voters approve a ballot question making possession of pot legal.
Senate officials have said they want to be prepared, and the best way of getting prepared is to see how legalized marijuana is going in Colorado.
The trip is being paid for by the Milbank Memorial Fund, a public health foundation which aims to provide accurate information to decision makers.
In a telephone call from Denver, Ross said the first day of the trip has been fascinating, with Colorado people telling them what has gone right and wrong with their experiment.
One bit of advice the Massachusetts delegation has received is that it is better to legalize marijuana with a law rather than a constitutional amendment.
A constitutional amendment cannot be tweaked easily when problems are discovered, they were told.
"We're taking a real hard look at how to make it as effective as possible," Ross said.
The Senate decided to form the committee because it is believed a referendum question advocates are preparing for the November election ballot has a reasonable chance of passing, Ross said.
Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, D-Amherst, was behind the establishment of the committee.
"The legalization of recreational marijuana crosses into many different policy areas, including public safety, public health, revenue, licensing and regulation, to name a few," Rosenberg said.
"With the pending ballot initiative to legalize marijuana, the Senate Special Committee on Marijuana is thoroughly examining all of the ramifications this might have on the residents of Massachusetts. We need data-driven research to prepare for the debate or, if it becomes law, to ensure successful implementation," he said.
The group visiting Colorado is being led by Sen. Jason Lewis, chairman of the special committee, which was recently expanded to 10 members.
It held a number of meetings last year with experts, and now hopes to see the real impact by visiting Colorado.
"The committee is making excellent progress in understanding the complex issues that arise when considering marijuana legalization," Lewis said.
"Expanding the committee membership and spending time on the ground in Colorado will enable us to strengthen and further refine our analysis and recommendations, which we look forward to sharing early next year."
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Wrentham Senator On Special Committee Studying Legal Marijuana In Colorado
Author: Jim Hand
Contact: The Sun Chronicle
Photo Credit: Elaine Thompson
Website: The Sun Chronicle
Ross, R-Wrentham, is on a special committee studying what will happen if Massachusetts voters approve a ballot question making possession of pot legal.
Senate officials have said they want to be prepared, and the best way of getting prepared is to see how legalized marijuana is going in Colorado.
The trip is being paid for by the Milbank Memorial Fund, a public health foundation which aims to provide accurate information to decision makers.
In a telephone call from Denver, Ross said the first day of the trip has been fascinating, with Colorado people telling them what has gone right and wrong with their experiment.
One bit of advice the Massachusetts delegation has received is that it is better to legalize marijuana with a law rather than a constitutional amendment.
A constitutional amendment cannot be tweaked easily when problems are discovered, they were told.
"We're taking a real hard look at how to make it as effective as possible," Ross said.
The Senate decided to form the committee because it is believed a referendum question advocates are preparing for the November election ballot has a reasonable chance of passing, Ross said.
Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, D-Amherst, was behind the establishment of the committee.
"The legalization of recreational marijuana crosses into many different policy areas, including public safety, public health, revenue, licensing and regulation, to name a few," Rosenberg said.
"With the pending ballot initiative to legalize marijuana, the Senate Special Committee on Marijuana is thoroughly examining all of the ramifications this might have on the residents of Massachusetts. We need data-driven research to prepare for the debate or, if it becomes law, to ensure successful implementation," he said.
The group visiting Colorado is being led by Sen. Jason Lewis, chairman of the special committee, which was recently expanded to 10 members.
It held a number of meetings last year with experts, and now hopes to see the real impact by visiting Colorado.
"The committee is making excellent progress in understanding the complex issues that arise when considering marijuana legalization," Lewis said.
"Expanding the committee membership and spending time on the ground in Colorado will enable us to strengthen and further refine our analysis and recommendations, which we look forward to sharing early next year."
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Wrentham Senator On Special Committee Studying Legal Marijuana In Colorado
Author: Jim Hand
Contact: The Sun Chronicle
Photo Credit: Elaine Thompson
Website: The Sun Chronicle
