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Massachusetts Marijuana Legalization Bill up for Hearing soon (March 6th) - Let's get it some attention (malegislature.gov)

submitted ago by KaoticS

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[–]ginja_ninja 3 points4 points ago

I do not have high hopes for this. Massachusetts is fiscally liberal, but a large percentage of the population is socially conservative in respect to a lot of things, mainly ones that can be spun to "potentially affect their children." They'll legalize something like gay marriage in a heartbeat, but I don't see a majority passing this bill. Obviously I hope I'm wrong.

[–]yanquiUXO 2 points3 points ago

Writing from Boston: western and central mass are more on the conservative side but we have a substantial majority supporting this. even if this gets shot down, its going to be a ballot question in the election (medical, that is). In 2008 we passed decriminalization by a huge margin using the ballot question. We also recently approved in state casinos, a socially liberal move toward increased state revenue. I've written my representatives and all responded with support

[–]ginja_ninja 0 points1 point ago

Yeah, Boston is probably going to give you that perspective, as there are a lot of young people living there and urban atmosphere in general is always going to be more kind towards weed. Most other places though, especially the suburbs or western Mass like you said, it's just going to be people who think, "I don't want to support something like this because it would send the message to my children that it's ok to use marijuana, or even encourage them to use it." Whether or not that's actually true is irrelevant. All it takes is one local agency to sponsor an ad campaign and run it in the commercials of the local 11:00 news.

Like I said though, I hope I'm wrong. I would love to head out to a store and buy a jar of heads whenever I wanted.

[–]yanquiUXO 0 points1 point ago

According to wikipedia (writing from my phone so pardon the lack of link), question 2 passed 65.25/34.75% in 2008. I don't want to be overconfident, but I have faith in a ballot question for medical this year. Outright legalization will likely end up dead due to legislators, not due to representation. Who knows?

[–]KaoticS[S] 0 points1 point ago

See - I dont know, I have a lot of Christian friends back home who support this bill who live in Western / Central mass. I think even the conservative population in massachusetts know this is a good idea and that it's about time.

[–]rodrego 1 point2 points ago

Not sure what you're talking about. Everyone smokes pot in western mass. Hell, the author of the bill is from Amherst!

[–]CEBarnes 0 points1 point ago

This is nice and all. But, it will result in a strongly worded letter from the US DoJ, which will result in the bill being scrapped.

[–]ThrowAwayMDMA 1 point2 points ago

Is the public allowed to attend? I actually have Tuesdays off from class.

[–]ex247 0 points1 point ago*

I sent some letters out last week to Senator Bruce Tarr and Representative Bradley Jones. I have heard back from Senator Tarr, and he suggested we should be "submitting testimony to the committee to express your support for the expedient passage of this measure".

their info are as follows:

Senator Cynthia S. Creem, Chair
Joint Committee on the Judiciary
State House, Room 416-B
Boston, MA 02133
(617) 722-1639
Cynthia.Creem@MASenate.gov

Representative Eugene O’Flaherty, Chair
Joint Committee on the Judiciary
State House, Room 136
Boston, MA 02133
(617) 722-2396
Eugene.OFlaherty@MAHouse.gov

Although from Senator Tarr's letter it doesn't seem he supports this HB 1371, i'm very happy that his office took the time to reach back out to me.

(as a note this is what he said in his letter regarding it:
"I believe you are aware of the changing landscape with regard to marijuana in our Commonwealth. A major change to our laws in this regard occurred in 2008 as the result of a successful ballot initiative to decriminalize the personal possession of marijuana and assess a civil fine in lieu of being charged with a criminal violation. Given that the effect s of this change are still developing, and are not yet fully understood, I believe that causing further changes at this time would not be prudent." )

also, read up on HB 625 and SB 1611

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