By An Out Of State Group Backs The Repeal Campaign
An out-of-state interest group is bankrolling the campaign to repeal Massachusetts’ adult-use marijuana law.
The repeal effort targets the state’s legalization and regulation of the adult-use marijuana market. That market has been a success in Massachusetts, the commentary stated.
The campaign is not about promoting the health and safety of Massachusetts residents, the commentary said. It is a trial balloon by a prohibitionist interest group intent upon rolling back legal cannabis markets nationwide.
The repeal campaign is known as the Question 8 initiative. 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.
Youth Use Has Fallen Since Legalization
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.
The commentary attributed the decline to the regulated market itself. 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, the commentary stated.
The figures come from state-specific CDC data. They cover youth cannabis use and school disciplinary incidents in Massachusetts.
The CDC data was cited in the commentary that originally appeared in The Boston Herald. NORML republished the commentary.
The data is being used to push back against claims behind the repeal campaign.
No State Has Ever Repealed Legalization
Twenty-four states now regulate adult-use marijuana markets. None of these jurisdictions have ever repealed their legalization laws, according to the commentary.
The commentary warned that Massachusetts must not be the first. The repeal campaign is the Question 8 initiative.
NORML has several resources and fact sheets opposing the Question 8 initiative campaign available in Election Central. The Committee to Protect Cannabis Regulation is also providing additional information.
The commentary originally appeared in The Boston Herald. NORML republished a version of it.
