Georgetown, MA – Today the House and Senate concurred in referring “The Cannabis Regulation and Taxation Act”, H01371 to the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. The Committee’s Senate Chair, Cynthia Creem (D-Newton) is on record as agreeing with her constituents to support regulation and taxation.
Mass Cann’s President Michael Crawford of Cambridge said, “Mass Cann applauds Senator Creem, lead sponsor Representative Ellen Story (D-Amherst) and co-sponsors Representatives Ruth Balser (D – Newton), Lori Ehrlich (D-Marblehead) and Anne Gobi (D-Spencer).”
Similar legislation filed as a citizen petition last session by Northampton Attorney Richard Evan received hearings before the Revenue Committee and the Judiciary Committee.
The Massachusetts legislature will not be alone this year in having a serious, sober, smirk-free discussion of this topic. From Maine to the State of Washington state legislatures will be considering it, initiative petitions are sprouting, and Barney Frank and CPAC Straw poll winner Ron Paul are expected to re-file legislation in Congress that would be the equivalent of the Twenty-First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
“I reiterate”, said Mass Cann spokesperson, attorney Steven Epstein of Georgetown, “the state and nation can no longer 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.”
As always, Mass Cann wishes all members of the media success in their pursuit of happiness today and every day.
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