A pro-pot group that helped push the states marijuana legalization law says it is now weighing a lawsuit to fight a bill that lawmakers passed, and Gov. Charlie Baker signed yesterday, delaying key parts of it, including when retail pot shops can open in the Bay State.
Bill Downing, a board member of the Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition, said the organization has already reached out to attorneys as it mulls a counter-strike to the amended law, which installed a six-month delay on when retail marijuana stores can open, from January 2018 to July 2018.
Theres good reason to believe that this is unconstitutional, so we are going to be investigating that, Downing said, adding that any legal move would likely happen within the next month or so, if it was possible.
Were talking to local attorneys about this.
He added that MassCann is also looking into legislative action aimed at repealing the bill, though he acknowledged that would be very, very difficult.
Just a half-dozen lawmakers were on a hand to shepherd the bill through the House and Senate Wednesday during sparsely attended informal sessions in moves legislative leaders say will allow them to set up a marijuana-focused committee, install necessary bureaucracy and study other potential changes to the law passed via a ballot question last month.
Recreational marijuana officially became legal on Dec. 15, and the just-passed bill didnt change that.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker
Full Article: Marijuana Activists Vow To Fight Implementation Delays
Author: Matt Stout
Contact: 617-426-3000
Photo Credit: Mark Garfinkel
Website: Boston Herald
