cannabisnews.com: Western Mass. Legislators File MJ Reform Bill
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Western Mass. Legislators File MJ Reform Bill
Posted by CN Staff on February 01, 2011 at 11:49:59 PT
By Maureen Turner
Source: Valley Advocate
Massachusetts -- In the November election, voters in a number of Massachusetts districts sent a message that they're ready to see dramatic changes in the commonwealth's marijuana laws.In nine legislative districts around the state (including the 1st Franklin and 3rd Hampshire districts), a majority of voters approved public policy questions calling for marijuana to be taxed and regulated by the government, in the same way alcohol is. In addition, voters in nine districts (including, locally, the 1st Hampden) approved public policy questions calling for medical marijuana to be available to patients on a doctor's recommendation.
While public policy questions are non-binding, they are an important way for constituents to voice their priorities to their representatives; indeed, the wording of PPQs specifically asks voters, "Shall the state representative from this district be instructed to vote in favor of" whatever policy is being suggested. While legislators don't have to follow that directive, they certainly can't deny that voters have made their wishes clear.And now it appears that legislators may, indeed, have the opportunity to turn into law the very measures voters supported on the November ballot. State Rep. Ellen Story, a Democrat who represents the 3rd Hampshire district, has filed a bill called the "Cannabis Regulation and Taxation Act." The proposed law would legalize possession and cultivation of marijuana for personal use by adults, and would create a state Cannabis Control Authority to regulate its legal sale and taxation. The bill has its genesis in earlier efforts by Northampton attorney Dick Evans, a longtime advocate for marijuana policy reform who has previously brought the proposal to the Legislature under a law that allows citizens to file bills without a legislator's sponsorship. In addition, state Sen. Stan Rosenberg (a Democrat from the Hampshire-Franklin district) and Rep. Frank Smizik, a Brookline Democrat, have filed in their respective chambers bills to legalize and regulate the medical use of marijuana with the approval of a physician.It remains to be seen, of course, if either bill ever makes it to the floor for a vote. Evans' previous legalization bills have died without reaching a vote, as have earlier medical marijuana bills filed by Smizik.But advocates hope the proposals are ideas whose time has come. "As the Commonwealth faces a two-billion-dollar budget deficit, the legislature cannot afford to continue the unjust, unwise and unreasonable prohibition of cannabis to adults, nor ignore the savings, revenue and jobs that would come from regulating and taxing the commercial cannabis industry, including hemp," Steven Epstein, a spokesman for marijuana reform group MassCann, said in a statement about Story's bill. "Massachusetts should lead the nation to finally ending 'reefer madness.'Source: Valley Advocate (Easthampton, MA)Author: Maureen Turner Published: Thursday, February 03, 2011 Copyright: 2011 New Mass MediaContact: tvannah valleyadvocate.comWebsite: http://www.valleyadvocate.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/kXXzHaEACannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml
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Comment #12 posted by Hope on February 02, 2011 at 11:32:32 PT
BGreen Comment 7
Lol!Indeed. To serve is an honor!This is the first time... ever... that I've seen Mr. Rosenthal has a pony tail.Speaking of pictures, I really like the one that Josephlacerenza uses at the top of the page at his MBT site.(P.S. Josephlacerenza, Tuckers is a very handsome (and cute) fella.)
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Comment #11 posted by FoM on February 02, 2011 at 08:51:23 PT
BGreen
I understand that. If I would want to look at pictures I would go to google images. LOL!
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Comment #10 posted by BGreen on February 02, 2011 at 08:35:34 PT
I don't read them, either
I just look at the pictures.Bud
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on February 02, 2011 at 08:26:13 PT
BGreen
If I talked like some of the people's comments I have seen I would be a miserable person. All the joy in life would be snatched from my mind. PS: I don't read those magazines. They just don't interest me.
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Comment #8 posted by BGreen on February 02, 2011 at 08:22:00 PT
I just can't believe people are so disgusting
I guess you would have to read the magazine, FoM, but that has it's own drawbacks.I just got Ed's The Big Book of Buds Vol. 4. Some call it The Big Book of Advertising because I guess breeders pay to get their strains in there, but to me it's like a mouth-watering, educational wish book.I'll have that one, and that one, and two of those. In fact, just give me two of everything you've got. :)The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #7 posted by BGreen on February 02, 2011 at 08:11:04 PT
The GCW
You think we would be honored for out dedication in keeping cannabis out of the hands of children and those adults who don't want it. I know our rewards await us in Heaven.Every day is a good day to volunteer. ;)The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on February 02, 2011 at 08:05:48 PT
BGreen
I understand. I find it hard to even try to get anything good out of Ed's words with comments being allowed that are so mean. I just am that way with any article I might check out. That's just my nature.
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Comment #5 posted by BGreen on February 02, 2011 at 08:02:24 PT
Now, FoM, what did I say? :)
I told you to read Ed's words and nothing else. Ed isn't responsible for the comments because he isn't an ignorant racist and f (#wit. He belongs here and not there but I'm sure they pay better and he has to make a living.I'm just kidding you, not about the facts, but just the way I presented them. I don't want you to think I'm scolding you when I'm just trying to be funny about some very un-funny comments.Bud
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on February 02, 2011 at 07:27:09 PT
BGreen
Whoa. I clicked on the link and looked at the first couple comments and got out of there fast.
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Comment #3 posted by The GCW on February 02, 2011 at 07:24:25 PT
Reverend Bud Green,
That's such a good and fresh perspective to being a volunteer.
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Comment #2 posted by BGreen on February 02, 2011 at 07:13:55 PT
Thanks, The GCW, I've volunteered for years
I'd encourage people to read Ed's words but ignore the comments section. Unlike our wonderful posters at CNews, many of the posters on Cannabisculture.com are ignorant racists and f (#wits. That goes for almost every other major website. I tend not to post very many places for that reason.Bless all of my kind friends here at CNews.The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #1 posted by The GCW on February 02, 2011 at 06:07:22 PT
volunteer
Ed Rosenthal Responds to Obama's YouTube State of the UnionBy Ed Rosenthal, Cannabis Culture - Monday, January 31 2011 http://www.cannabisculture.com/v2/content/2011/01/31/Response-Obamas-YouTube-State-Union
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