NORML Op-Ed: Vote This November To Keep Marijuana Legal in Massachusetts
- The legalization and regulation of adult-use marijuana in Massachusetts has been successful and is not opposed by a majority of voters.
- The current campaign to repeal legalization is driven by an out-of-state prohibitionist group aiming to dismantle legal cannabis markets nationwide.
- Since legalization, youth cannabis use and school disciplinary incidents related to cannabis have declined, demonstrating the effectiveness of regulated markets over prohibition.
- Twenty-four states have regulated adult-use marijuana markets without repealing their laws, and Massachusetts should follow this trend and maintain legalization.
The legalization and regulation of the adult-use marijuana market has been a success in Massachusetts. The campaign to repeal it is being promoted by a single out-of-state interest group, not because voters are clamoring for change.
This campaign is not about promoting the health and safety of Massachusetts residents; it is a trial balloon by a prohibitionist interest group intent upon rolling back legal cannabis markets nationwide.
Following legalization in Massachusetts, youth cannabis use has declined to historic lows, according to state-specific data provided by the CDC. Rates of school disciplinary incidents involving cannabis have also declined significantly. That’s because regulated markets, with state-imposed rules, age limits, and controls, do a far greater job keeping cannabis out of the hands of young people than does prohibition.
Twenty-four states now regulate adult-use marijuana markets. None of these jurisdictions have ever repealed their legalization laws. Massachusetts must not be the first.
A version of this commentary originally appeared in The Boston Herald.
NORML has several resources and fact sheets opposing the Question 8 initiative campaign available in Election Central. Additional information is available from the Committee to Protect Cannabis Regulation.