Senate President Stan Rosenberg announced on “Boston Public Radio” today that he will be voting yes on ballot question four, which would legalize recreational marijuana in Massachusetts.
“I believe it is going pass and I am going to vote for it, and then I’m going to work to improve that ballot question," Rosenberg said on question four.
Rosenberg’s decision to vote yes on four sets him apart from other top state and local officials such as Governor Charlie Baker, Mayor Marty Walsh, Attorney General Maura Healey, and Speaker of the house Robert DeLeo, who all oppose legalizing recreational marijuana.
If the ballot was passed, Rosenberg suggested that the recreational marijuana business would be built on top of the medical marijuana system that has already been in place, essential turning them from medical to recreational dispensaries. The Senate President emphasized that new regulations will have to be put in place.
“We also have to have a very clear set of policies and decisions about how many we want, and where we want them, and what kind of local control will be involved, as we did even with medical marijuana,” Rosenberg said about opening new recreational facilities. “We are going to have to go in and work on that bill once it is approved by the voters, which I believe is going to happen.”
In a statement released today, communications director for Yes on 4, Jim Borghesani, praised Rosenberg for his support of question four. "President Rosenberg deserves enormous credit for taking a courageous stand on replacing the failed system we have today with a regulated structure that will actually control marijuana in Massachusetts and generate much-needed revenue for taxpayers. We hope more elected officials follow his brave leadership,” Borghesani said.
Listen to our interview with Senate President Stan Rosenberg above.
