This Election Day, a "yes" vote on Question 4 would make it legal for people 21 and older to have or use marijuana, and marijuana products such as edibles, up to ten ounces in their homes, and one ounce outside their homes. People could also grow up to six marijuana plants in their homes and share small amounts with others, as long as no payment is exchanged.
All retail sales would be subject to the state sales tax, and an extra excise tax of 3.75 percent. Cities and towns would also have the option of adding another 2 percent onto that. Also, the law would create a new three-person Cannabis Control Commission, appointed by the state treasurer, to oversee the law, and a 15-person Cannabis Advisory Board, appointed by the governor. All this would go into effect on December 15.
A "no" vote would mean no changes to our current laws.
On Greater Boston Monday, Rep. David Rogers (@RepDaveRogers) argued in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana, while Rep. Hannah Kane (@HannahEKaneMA)argued against it.
Currently, we have a large unregulated billion-dollar marijuana industry controlled by criminals, Rogers argued. He said the debate isn't about public health, but rather whether marijuana should be legal or not—people are using the drug regardless, so we should regulate it.
Kane focused on commercialization rather than legalization, arguing this isn't the right path to legalization, with a ballot question written by the industry, for the industry. Kane preferred going back to the drawing board to construct a document that makes more sense.
Also discussed was the current opioid crisis in Massachusetts, and the implications of legalizing another drug during the epidemic. Rogers said that the gateway drug to heroin is Oxycontin, and the biggest factor to opioid abuse is legal prescriptions to drugs. Kane argued that we are in the midst of a drug crisis, and questioned legalizing another drug. She added that marijuana today is much more potent than it was years ago, and she said that we don't know the effects of potent products on the body. Kane also argued that young people are more likely to become addicted.
