Legislators announce endorsements of the Yes on Question 4 Campaign to Regulate and Tax Marijuana

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BOSTON, July 28, 2016 /Weed Wire/ — Ten Massachusetts legislators today announced their endorsement of the Yes on Question 4 Campaign, which is backing a November ballot measure to regulate and tax marijuana. The legislators cited social justice, the ability to generate significant new tax revenues and the decades-long failure of prohibition among their reasons.

Sen. Will Brownsberger (D-Belmont), Senate Chairman of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary:

“It’s time we got this over with. The prohibition approach to the control of marijuana use just has not worked.”

Rep. David Rogers (D-Cambridge), agreed:

“Despite decades of current policy, nothing has changed and the time has long since come to take a more realistic approach. By regulating and taxing the sale of marijuana in the Commonwealth we will allow law enforcement to focus on serious crimes, raise substantial revenue, and all but eliminate a dangerous black market.”

Rep. Marjorie C. Decker (D-Cambridge), pointed out that prohibition has disproportionately affected individuals from low-income and minority communities. She cited a 2014 ACLU study showing that African-Americans in Massachusetts are 3.9 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana offenses than whites, despite similar use patterns.

“While one may not personally approve of marijuana use, we have a responsibility to look at its regulation in a broader context. The current rules are in stark contrast to how other legal drugs, such as alcohol, are regulated. I also believe this new form of regulation will improve education of young people about all types of drug use.”

Rep. Tom Sannicandro (D-Framingham), House Chairman of the Harm Reduction Caucus and House Chairman of the Joint Committee on Higher Education, said ending marijuana prohibition would allow the state to move toward a less punitive drug policy embracing evidence and data as a roadmap.

“Changing the way we think about drug policy will help reduce mass incarceration while undermining the underground economy and increasing tax revenue to more effectively serve our communities,” Sannicandro said.

Also endorsing the measure were Sen. Pat Jehlen (D-Cambridge), Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton), Rep. Michael Moran (D-Brighton), Rep. Jay Livingstone (D-Boston), Rep. Brian Mannal (D-Centerville) and Rep. Mary Keefe (D-Worcester).

“We’re proud to have these far-sighted leaders with us as we work to inform voters about how our initiative will benefit Massachusetts and about the success of regulated systems in other states,” said Yes on 4 communications director Jim Borghesani. “These elected officials recognize the failure of prohibition and they understand why regulating and taxing marijuana is the best path forward.”

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