cannabisnews.com: After Marijuana Legalization, Beacon Hill Scramble
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After Marijuana Legalization, Beacon Hill Scramble
Posted by CN Staff on November 09, 2016 at 13:20:46 PT
By Joshua Miller, Globe Staff
Source: Boston Globe
Boston -- Massachusetts politicians and public officials were scrambling Wednesday after voters legalized marijuana for recreational use.Governor Charlie Baker, House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo, and Senate President Stanley C. Rosenberg all said they would accept the will of the voters and work to implement the new law, which will make pot legal for adult use on Dec. 15, and allow retail marijuana shops to open in 2018.
The initiative poses an immediate challenge for state government, which will need to quickly craft new laws and regulations to oversee what could soon be a billion-dollar business. Those could mandate everything from how high is too high to be on the road, to what form edibles — the marijuana-infused treats like brownies — can take.Baker campaigned against Question 4, arguing, in concert with most top state officials, that it would be bad for Massachusetts. But speaking to reporters in Boston, the Republican governor said he will respect the voice of residents, while addressing some of thorny issues legalization creates.“Our view on this is: The people spoke, and we’re going to honor that,” Baker said at an unrelated transportation event. “But we need to make sure that we implement this in a way that is consistent with a lot of the rhetoric and the dialogue that took place during the course of the campaign — that it would be done in a way that does protect public safety and ensure that only those who are supposed to have access to these products will.” The new law legalizes the drug only for those who are at least 21 years old.Among the most high-profile supporters of the measure was Rosenberg. The Amherst Democrat told the Globe in an interview Wednesday that the Legislature would consider making some changes to the law. “I believe that when voters vote on most ballot questions, they are voting in principle, they are not voting on the fine detail that is contained within the proposal,” he said, noting that the timetable was “very aggressive” and could be ripe for change.Rosenberg said any adjustments to the law should come after the people who may be affected have their say.“The voices of stakeholders must be heard in this process,” he said. “When you craft a ballot question, it’s usually crafted by a group of like-minded people. I’m not going to say they ignore other interests ... but their emphasis and their direction is usually consistent with their own views about what ought to be done.”So, Rosenberg said, it’s important to bring other voices to the table.After legalization passed in Colorado in 2012, Governor John Hickenlooper, who had opposed the measure, created a wide-ranging task force. Its aim was to identify the legal, policy and procedural issues that needed to be resolved, and to offer proposals for legislative, regulatory and executive actions that should be taken.The group included legislators, lawyers, police, district attorneys, doctors, marijuana industry representatives, concerned citizen groups, public health officials, and local officials.And its recommendations were largely put into place by the Legislature and Hickenlooper.Massachusetts could well follow a similar path.Beacon Hill politicians have broad latitude to change the law voters just approved — and they don’t always respect the will of the voters when it comes to referenda.In 2000, voters passed a ballot initiative incrementally knocking the rate down from 5.85 percent to 5 percent. The first ticks downward took place at the beginning of 2001 and 2002. But then the Legislature, facing tough economic times, froze the final tax cut.Instead, legislators set a series of economic growth thresholds which would — much, much more slowly than voters intended — lower the tax rate to 5 percent, but only if the state economy was humming along.More than 16 years later, the tax rate still isn’t there.And implementation of complicated voter initiatives doesn’t always go smoothly. The state’s rollout of the voter-approved medical marijuana law was disastrous, rife with charges of conflicts of interest, political favoritism, and questionable vetting of marijuana companies. Even though voters approved marijuana for medical use in November 2012, the first dispensary did not open until the summer of 2015.Baker said he was keen to avoid a repeat of that fiasco, which took place under his predecessor, Deval Patrick.“I don’t want to go through, for example, sort of the disconnects and the false starts that were associated with the state’s implementation of the medical marijuana law,” the governor said Wednesday, adding he wanted the laws implementation to be “responsible and timely.”On Wednesday morning, meanwhile, the Archdiocese of Boston, which had made a high-profile last minute push against marijuana legalization, issued a statement expressing regret.“We are very disappointed that Question Four was approved, allowing for the commercialization of marijuana in Massachusetts,” it said. “It was and continues to be encouraging that our parishes and many of our colleagues in the ecumenical and interfaith community gave significant time and support for the effort to defeat this harmful legislation. Anticipating significantly increased demands on many of the Archdiocese’s social service and assistance programs, due to the documented effects of widespread marijuana use, we will continue to as best possible provide for the needs of the people we serve.”Kay Lazar of the Globe staff contributed to this report. Source: Boston Globe (MA)Author: Joshua Miller, Globe Staff Published: November 9, 2016Copyright: 2016 Globe Newspaper CompanyContact: letter globe.comWebsite: http://www.boston.com/globe/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/cWV2v6HpCannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml 
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Comment #12 posted by Sam Adams on November 10, 2016 at 15:37:27 PT
lack of ridicule
Kapt. I was thinking the same thing yesterday - not one stupid "stoner" joke about munchies, up in smoke, etc. in the dozens of media articles I read yesterday. No one is laughing at us now!  It's amazing how quickly that turned. I seriously wonder if these politicians are getting direct benefit from the illegal drug rackets and cash seizures. The hypothesis fits their actions. They'll have to buy their own drugs now instead of taking free packages from the local evidence room courtesy the cops.
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Comment #11 posted by kaptinemo on November 10, 2016 at 14:35:57 PT:
Sam, you nailed it
"If they try to mess with our law we're going to answer with protests and packing every public hearing with hundreds of people. Litigation is also very likely."And there it is. It has to be expensive for them, both politically and monetarily, if they try any monkey-wrenching. And, worse for them, that has moved from the realm of theory to high probability. The demographics of today's electorate have shown that not only is there support for cannabis law reform, it is actively and aggressively being pursued. It's not an issue that the pols can airily dismiss with a wave of their hands, anymore; try that now, and the consequences might mean their jobs. Notice something? It's a pattern that has been readily observable for a long time. It used to be the Traditional Media (translation: Captive Corp-rat Media, as demonstrated by the WikiLeaks emails) mocked reform efforts with dismissive, condescending comments and demeaning language. They used to be able to laugh at us and call us names; they don't do that anymore, and now realize that they can't get away with it lest their comments sections become filled with angry readers. As proof of this sea change in attitude and that the tide started turning last decade was when we began to see the word 'prohibition' associated with cannabis. That was reformer's work, and it paid off. Now you rarely see any article on cannabis without the word 'prohibition' in it, and it's often repeated. The fact of the electorate's support for cannabis has finally sunk into most pols brains enough to realize that they would be urinating into a hurricane if they thought they could continue the old diffuse-and-delay legislative tactics they've used in the past. The political cover they once enjoyed has largely shuffled off its mortal coil and cannot vote (legally, that is). Now the pols face those they've obstructed for decades, and we're not having any of it anymore. We can and will make it expensive for them, and they're finally getting it.
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Comment #10 posted by Garry Minor on November 10, 2016 at 07:58:40 PT:
Kap, Hope, GCW and FoM
The reason that the church is blind and corrupt is simple!The churches of the world are literally and Biblically:anti - opposite of, opposed to or against.Christ - covered in Holy Oil containing Kaneh Bosm, Cannabis. Anointed!It's right there in the Book, 1 John 2:18-29.
Warning against antichrists.
Read It!Here is a 3rd century teaching by Cyril of Jerusalem regarding it.
 "On the Mysteries: On Chrism.I know that he could read the original Hebrew and was not relying on the Greek translation because he quotes it.There are many, many, many other writings describing the Mystical Chrism!4. And ye were first anointed on the forehead, that ye might be delivered from the shame, which the first man who transgressed bore about with him everywhere; and that with unveiled face ye might reflect as a mirror the glory of the Lord. Then on your ears; that ye might receive the ears which are quick to hear the Divine Mysteries, of which Esaias said, The Lord gave me also an ear to hear; and the Lord Jesus in the Gospel, He that hath ears to hear let him hear. Then on the nostrils; that receiving the sacred ointment ye may say, We are to God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved. Afterwards on your breast; that having put on the breast-plate of righteousness, ye may stand against the wiles of the devil. For as Christ after His Baptism, and the visitation of the Holy Ghost, went forth and vanquished the adversary, so likewise ye, after Holy Baptism and the Mystical Chrism, having put on the whole armour of the Holy Ghost, are to stand against the power of the adversary, and vanquish it, saying, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.5. Having been counted worthy of this Holy Chrism, ye are called Christians, verifying the name also by your new birth. For before you were deemed worthy of this grace, ye had properly no right to this title, but were advancing on your way towards being Christians.6. Moreover, you should know that in the old Scripture there lies the symbol of this Chrism. For what time Moses imparted to his brother the command of God, and made him High-priest, after bathing in water, he anointed him; and Aaron was called Christ or Anointed, evidently from the typical Chrism. So also the High-priest, in advancing Solomon to the kingdom, anointed him after he had bathed in Gihon. To them however these things happened in a figure, but to you not in a figure, but in truth; because ye were truly anointed by the Holy Ghost. Christ is the beginning of your salvation; for He is truly the First-fruit, and ye the mass; but if the First-fruit be holy, it is manifest that Its holiness will pass to the mass also.7. Keep This unspotted: for it shall teach you all things, if it abide in you, as you have just heard declared by the blessed John, discoursing much concerning this Unction. For this holy thing is a spiritual safeguard of the body, and salvation of the soul. Of this the blessed Esaias prophesying of old time said,And on this mountain,—(now he calls the Church a mountain elsewhere also, as when he says, In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be manifest;)—on this mountain shall the Lord make unto all nations a feast; they shall drink wine, they shall drink gladness, they shall anoint themselves with ointment. And that he may make thee sure, hear what he says of this ointment as being mystical; Deliver all these things to the nations, for the counsel of the Lord is unto all nations. Having been anointed, therefore, with this holy ointment, keep it unspotted and unblemished in you, pressing forward by good works, and being made well-pleasing to the Captain of your salvation, Christ Jesus, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.https://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf207.ii.xxv.htmlYou couldn't make this stuff up!There is water in water, there is Fire on Chrism.
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Comment #9 posted by Sam Adams on November 10, 2016 at 06:05:21 PT
kapt.
thanks for the analysis! It's awful to have to sit here and read all the rhetoric from this legislature in the media. They are one of THE most corrupt state legislatures in the US. Consider that the last THREE House Speakers in a row have all left office and gone to jail under federal indictment! They're criminals and everyone here knows it. Their brazen arrogance toward voters is unbelievable.If they try to mess with our law we're going to answer with protests and packing every public hearing with hundreds of people.  Litigation is also very likely. 
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Comment #8 posted by kaptinemo on November 09, 2016 at 17:29:44 PT:
Good to be back
But part of the reason for this particular offering is the following:"Our view on this is: The people spoke, and we’re going to honor that,” Baker said at an unrelated transportation event. “But we need to make sure that we implement this in a way that is consistent with a lot of the rhetoric and the dialogue that took place during the course of the campaign — that it would be done in a way that does protect public safety and ensure that only those who are supposed to have access to these products will.”Let's take this apart and look at it, shall we?"Our view on this is: The people spoke, and we’re going to honor that..." Notice an assumption that he evidently feels he has a choice in not honoring the will of the people?More importantly:Rosenberg said any adjustments to the law should come after the people who may be affected have their say.“The voices of stakeholders must be heard in this process,” he said. “When you craft a ballot question, it’s usually crafted by a group of like-minded people. I’m not going to say they ignore other interests ... but their emphasis and their direction is usually consistent with their own views about what ought to be done.Now, just who are these 'stakeholders' he mentions? To my mind the only 'stakeholders' were the voting electorate that passed the referendum. And do the ranks of Rosenberg's 'stakeholders' include those who have a vested interest in mucking up the implementation of the expressed will of the people to suit their own agendas?Thus is revealed the unconscious assumption of unwarranted power on the part of our supposed civil servants who seek to dictate to their masters how the implementation of their master's will shall be carried out.
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Comment #7 posted by The GCW on November 09, 2016 at 17:23:23 PT
Why would the catholics care??????
There's a number of potential reasons and I'd like to offer them. 3 at least, here.1. Cannabis helps people feel closer to God. It helped Me know God more than maybe anything else in My life. ---I've learned I DON'T NEED ANY CHURCH, through cannabis, Christ God Our Father and the "spirit of truth" along with prayer, to the source for the truth as God wishes for Me to know it.-If cannabis helps people know God without the catholic church, that hurts their business! If people learn that cannabis helps people know God and in fact the catholic church prevents that relationship then they are EXPOSED. -And a few years back, the catholic church was the 3rd of 4th largest business in either the world or America; I forget which.!!!!!!!Imagine, cannabis compromises their income in real terms!2. Historically there has been talk about secret societies. It is thought, & I believe, some secret societies have access to and documents acknowledging cannabis' spiritual use, which has been suppressed from the general population. The information being kept from population includes how cannabis helps people know God and helps with their spiritual realities, ALL OF WHICH is a threat to government and churches.-While government and churches sometimes collide; they both agree on the need to keep cannabis out of the hands of the ordinary man if they want to maintain their interests.3. Why may be answered in understanding the "Sin of the Priests in Malachi 1:6-14.-0-The catholic church is decrepit. Their dwindling, due to many controversial issues (including perverted gross stuff) and the threat of cannabis becoming -RE-legalized is serious.There has been conversations about cannabis use for medical and or rec use and lately less talk about it's spiritual use, however, the most important use cannabis offers in all the universe is it's spiritual usage. The more people learn about cannabis capability to help people get to know the spiritual realities, the more catholic churches are in deep trouble and that's bad business competition for them.And that may come to a brighter light.The Green Collar Worker
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Comment #6 posted by Hope on November 09, 2016 at 15:31:05 PT
What?
"Anticipating significantly increased demands on many of the Archdiocese’s social service and assistance programs, due to the documented effects of widespread marijuana use".He needs disrespecting. The true answer is documented in both the Old and New Testaments and probably a lot of other literature. Read it! Or listen to it, at least."Service and assistance"? I guess he thinks a gazillion people will be pestering him for the truth... and he obviously doesn't know what it is. He's got to make stuff up now. That is a detestable thing to do. If he would study and if he consults the God he claims to love and is still, with a truly open heart and mind, he'll know. A quiet voice. It's fine to dislike the plant and dislike being around people doing it. It's not fine to punish people for using or having it. It's not fine to break into their homes looking for it. It's not fine to disgrace, embarrass them or take their money or freedom. It's not fine or ok at all. The latter part is the "Sin", Brother. Sin... ah... sin. It's New Testament... Sin is simply not doing the right thing. I think the Man himself said somewhere, The Sermon on the Mount, I'm pretty sure... that a human cannot be defiled by anything they consume. A person is defiled by what comes out of a their heart. What they think. What they do. What's coming out of prohibitionists' hearts in this matter? Tough love? Oh, we love you, so we are going to hurt you to keep you from doing what you want to do.It shouldn't be that hard to comprehend... but obviously, for them, it is."Documented effects of widespread marijuana use"? Like decreased automobile accidents? Like less opiate overdose? 
Are the documented effects he speaks of to with widespread illegal marijuana use... or just widespread marijuana use?This guy sounds like a whiner to me. Jesus wasn't a whiner.I totally believe the churches as organizations, including the Catholic church, and tax exempt, should not be involved in matters of state... other than perhaps to plea for mercy for some suffering soul.
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on November 09, 2016 at 15:23:00 PT
Marijuana Measures Pass in 4 Ohio Communities
Marijuana Measures Pass in 4 Ohio Communities, Several StatesNovember 9, 2016COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Tuesday's election notched several wins for marijuana law reformers across the country, including those in four Ohio communities. Three states legalized recreational marijuana and the vote was too close to call in a fourth state, according to unofficial election results. Four states legalized medical marijuana.And four Ohio communities passed local ordinances reducing penalties for marijuana possession to none. Marijuana decriminalization measures passed in Newark in Licking County, Bellaire in Belmont County, Logan in Hocking County and Roseville, on the boarder of Perry and Muskingum counties. A measure in Byesville in Guernsey County failed. The measures decriminalize possession of 200 grams or less of marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia, with no jail time or fines. The measures only affect violations in those jurisdictions, not the whole county. The four towns join Toledo in decriminalizing marijuana; more aim to be on the ballot in 2017 and 2018.
  Complete Article: http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2016/11/marijuana_measures_pass_in_4_o.html
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Comment #4 posted by The GCW on November 09, 2016 at 15:18:40 PT
Kaptinemo
good to read You perspective. Agreed.In addition: A few days ago +- in a CNEWS post, it was reported the catholic church there spent $850,000 (if I recall) to defeat Question 4 in Mass.
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on November 09, 2016 at 14:32:16 PT
Kaptinemo
I agree!
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Comment #2 posted by kaptinemo on November 09, 2016 at 14:00:49 PT:
They never learn
“We are very disappointed that Question Four was approved, allowing for the commercialization of marijuana in Massachusetts,” it said. “It was and continues to be encouraging that our parishes and many of our colleagues in the ecumenical and interfaith community gave significant time and support for the effort to defeat this harmful legislation. Anticipating significantly increased demands on many of the Archdiocese’s social service and assistance programs, due to the documented effects of widespread marijuana use, we will continue to as best possible provide for the needs of the people we serve.”The Boston Archdiocese is once more demonstrating hypocrisy (sacramental wine is no different than sacramental cannabis use to me) and willful ignorance that supports that hypocrisy. And it is providing one more reason for my apostasy from the Church. Once more the actions of the Catholic Church in this issue buttresses the idea that religions that meddle in political affairs deserve taxation and should be registered as lobbyists.
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on November 09, 2016 at 13:24:19 PT
What You Need to Know about Mass. MJ Legalization
URL: http://www.bostonglobe.com/2016/10/18/should-mass-legalize-marijuana/kqF1FkhnGllENYxmFVhgEM/story.html
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