House Postpones Debate On Recreational Marijuana Bill

BOSTON (AP) — House leaders announced late Wednesday they were postponing debate on a contentious bill that seeks major changes in the state’s voter-approved recreational marijuana law, including higher taxes on retail sales and more control for municipal officials over pot shops in their communities. The full House had been expected to vote on the measure Thursday, but Speaker Robert DeLeo told reporters after a closed-door Democratic caucus that the debate would be postponed until at least next week because of procedural issues and concerns members raised over elements of the legislation. “There are certain things we have to clean up,” said DeLeo, who still praised the overall bill as “terrific.” Earlier Wednesday, a sharply-divided legislative committee voted to advance the measure, but without the backing of any of the panel’s seven senators and with reservations expressed by several House members. The Marijuana Policy Committee had for months been weighing revisions to the law that legalized adult possession and use of marijuana. “This proposed bill directly assaults the will of the voters and is a prescription for increasing the illicit market,” for marijuana, said Sen. Patricia Jehlen, a Somerville Democrat who co-chaired the committee. Excessive taxes would discourage people from buying the drug legally and keep illegal marijuana dealers in business, critics contend. The law passed by voters in November calls for a 3.7...
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Health Local News Syndicated Local Marijuana Recreational Marijuana Source Type: news