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MassCann: The Massachusetts chapter of NORML
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Inquiries from the media are welcome. 11-02-16 Mass. Judiciary Committee to hold hearings on legalizing marihuana Georgetown, MA - Today the House and Senate concurred in referring "The Cannabis Regulation and Taxation Act", H01371 to the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. The Committee's Senate Chair, Cynthia Creem (D-Newton) is on record as agreeing with her constituents to support regulation and taxation. Mass Cann's President Michael Crawford of Cambridge said, "Mass Cann applauds Senator Creem, lead sponsor Representative Ellen Story (D-Amherst) and co-sponsors Representatives Ruth Balser (D - Newton), Lori Ehrlich (D-Marblehead) and Anne Gobi (D-Spencer)." Similar legislation filed as a citizen petition last session by Northampton Attorney Richard Evan received hearings before the Revenue Committee and the Judiciary Committee. The Massachusetts legislature will not be alone this year in having a serious, sober, smirk-free discussion of this topic. From Maine to the State of Washington state legislatures will be considering it, initiative petitions are sprouting, and Barney Frank and CPAC Straw poll winner Ron Paul are expected to re-file legislation in Congress that would be the equivalent of the Twenty-First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. "I reiterate", said Mass Cann spokesperson, attorney Steven Epstein of Georgetown, "the state and nation can no longer afford to continue the unjust, unwise and unreasonable prohibition of cannabis to adults, nor ignore the savings, revenue and jobs that would come from regulating and taxing the commercial cannabis industry, including hemp." As always, Mass Cann wishes all members of the media success in their pursuit of happiness today and every day. 11-02-11 The Economist-YouGov poll finds strong majority support for legalizing marijuana Georgetown, MA - Yesterday's print edition of The Economist reports: A huge majority of Americans, more than two to one once don't knows have been excluded, support "Happy Toking," The Economist, February 10, 2011. The YouGov results are here(PDF). Meanwhile, President Obama, a former pot smoker who has declared the war on drugs "an utter As always, Mass Cann wishes all members of the media success in their pursuit of happiness today and every day. 11-01-27 Cannabis legalization bill filed in the 187th General Court! Georgetown, MA - Ellen Story (D-Amherst) responding to the sixty-nine percent of the voters in her district who instructed her to vote "in favor of legislation that would allow the state to regulate and tax marijuana like alcohol" on November 2, 2010 is sponsoring "An Act to regulate and tax the cannabis industry." Assigned House Docket Number 01091 it will receive a bill number in the near future. If enacted, the state's current prohibition upon adults having or growing a personal supply will be repealed, analogous to alcohol control laws for home winemaking. Economist Jeffrey Miron estimated in a 2003 paper that this provision would reallocate scores of millions in law enforcement, judicial and corrections resources to other crimes and criminals. However, the system of regulation and taxation for a commercial cannabis industry, also similar to the alcohol control laws, would not go into effect until legal under federal law. In addition to Representative Story, Senator Cynthia Creem (D-Newton) is on record as agreeing with her constituents to support regulation and taxation. Seven other members of the House were also instructed, they are: Representatives John Keenan (D-Salem), Lori Ehrlich (D-Marblehead), Kate Hogan (D-Stow), Denise Garlick (D-Needham), Timothy Madden (D-Nantucket), Stephen Kulik (D-Worthington) and Thomas Conroy (D-Wayland) also were instructed by their constituents to vote in favor of such legislation. During the campaign last fall, although their districts were not voting on the question, Ted Speliotis (D-Danvers) and Joyce Spiliotis (D-Peabody) both told the Salem News they supported taxation and regulation of marijuana. Similar legislation was filed as a citizen petition last session by Northampton Attorney Richard Evan and received hearings before the Revenue Committee and the Judiciary Committee. Massachusetts lead the way to independence in 1775. In 1911, it lead the way to demonizing cannabis. In 1930, it was the first state to legalize alcohol by voter initiative, while national prohibition was still in effect. "As the Commonwealth faces a two billion dollar budget deficit, the legislature cannot afford to continue the unjust, unwise and unreasonable prohibition of cannabis to adults, nor ignore the savings, revenue and jobs that would come from regulating and taxing the commercial cannabis industry, including hemp," said Mass Cann spokesperson, attorney Steven Epstein of Georgetown. "Massachusetts should lead the nation to finally ending "reefer madness." As always Mass Cann wishes all members of the media success in their pursuit of happiness today and every day. 10-12-30 Hempy New Year 2011! Georgetown, MA - The coming year marks the one hundredth anniversary of Massachusetts' first law (see below) interfering with free commerce in Cannabis intended for human consumption. It was the first state law concerning Cannabis in the nation. The 1911 law required a prescription from a physician. "I certainly empathize with Massachusetts' residents who would benefit from returning to the law of 1911," said Mass Cann founder Steven Epstein. "It is what we hoped would happen in 1992 following Governor Weld's approval of "AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE USE OF MARIJUANA IN THERAPEUTIC RESEARCH."" This was the first state law in the country to re-legalize medical use since imposition of the federal prohibition. Unfortuantely, unlike the more recent laws in the District of Columbia and fifteen states our law requires a federally approved source. Since every administration since Bush I refuses to approve a supplier, it is a cruel joke." As we are about to celebrate the second anniversary of the decriminalization of an ounce or less by the people, the question remains: is it a medicine, access to which must be by doctors' prescription, or is it an herb. Dr. Lester Grinspoon speaks to this question following the October 2009 hearing on Taxation and Regulation Bill before the Joint Revenue Committee. Dr. Grinspoon, Associate Professor of Psychiatry (Emeritus) at Harvard Medical School is the author of "Marijuana Reconsidered" and "Marijuana: The Forbidden Medicine." Massachusetts lead the way to independence in 1775 and demonizing cannabis in 1911. After 100 years will the Massachusetts legislature, facing a two billion dollar budget deficit, be the first to recognize that Massachusetts can no longer afford to prohibit commerce in cannabis? As always, but particularly as 2010 becomes 2011, Mass Cann wishes all members of the media success in their pursuit of happiness. Acts, 1911, Chap. 373 An Act relative to the issuance of search warrants Be it enacted, etc. as follows: Section 1. If a person makes complaint under oath to a police, district, or municipal court, or to a trial justice or justice of the peace authorized to issue warrants in criminal cases, that he has reason to believe that opium, morphine, heroin, codeine, cannabis indica, cannabis sativa or any other hypnotic drug or any salt, compound or preparation of said substances is kept or deposited by a person named therein in a store, shop, warehouse, building, vehicle, steamboat, vessel or place other than by a manufacturer or jobber, wholesale druggist, registered pharmacist, registered physician, registered veterinarian, registered dentist, registered nurse, employees of incorporated hospitals, or those who are entitled by law to have possession of any of the above mentioned articles, such court or justice, if it appears that there is probable cause to believe that said complaint is true, shall issue a search warrant to a sheriff, deputy sheriff, city marshal, chief of police, deputy marshal, police officer or constable commanding him to search the premises in which it is alleged that such opium, morphine, heroin, codeine, cannabis indica, cannabis sativa or any other hypnotic drug or any salt, compound or preparation of said substances is kept or deposited, and to seize and securely keep the same until final action, and to arrest the person or persons in whose possession it is found, together with all persons present if any of the aforesaid substances is found, and to return the warrant with his doings thereon, as soon as may be, to a court or trial justice having jurisdiction in the place in which such substance is alleged to be kept or deposited. Section 2. Whoever is present where any of the aforesaid drugs is found shall be punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars or by imprisonment in the house of correction for three months. Section 3. Whoever, not being a manufacturer or jobber of drugs, wholesale druggist, registered pharmacist, registered physician, registered veterinarian, registered dentist, registered nurse, or an employee of an incorporated hospital, or otherwise entitled by law to have possession of any of the above mentioned drugs, is found in possession thereof, except by reason of a physician's prescription, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars or by imprisonment for six month in the house of correction Approved April 29, 1911 NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml 10-12-06 Cannabis Convention declares cultivation for personal use is a human right! Georgetown, MA - On Saturday, December 4, the Massachusetts Cannabis Convention "resolved that non-commercial cultivation for personal use is a human right and is not to be taxed." Over fifty marijuana reform activists from around the state attended the convention called by the Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition (Mass Cann), a State affiliate of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. Before the resolution, persons in attendance exchanged ideas on advancing marijuana law reform. Terry Franklin of Amherst spoke about FreedomBusCaravan,org an activist plan for the Presidential Primary season in New Hampshire. Matt Allen of Boston spoke about the activities of MassCompassion.org. He identified Speaker of the House, Robert DeLeo (D - Winthrop), as the roadblock to reforming the Weld administration approved medical marijuana law so that patients would not need a federally approved supply, a requirement that none of the laws approved in 15 states and the District of Columbia since passage of the Massachusetts Therapeutic Research Act. Those in attendance received the official results issued last Wednesday by the Secretary of the Commonwealth of the Legalization Public Policy Questions that appeared on the ballot in one Senate and eight House Districts; results that demonstrate a majority of the over 200,000 voters polled support regulation and taxation of cannabis commerce in Massachusetts. Following a discussion about legislation to advance reform and the need to oppose anticipated legislation intended to gut Question 2, An Act Establishing A Sensible State Marijuana Policy, approved by over 63% of the voters on November 4, 2008 the talk turned "Al Smithing" marijuana from the Massachusetts criminal law. As Bill Downing of Reading and Mass Cann board member explained, "The only model for ending a national prohibition is that that ended the "Noble Experiment" almost seventy years ago. That process began in 1923, when the legislature of New York and its governor Al Smith repealed the state's version of the Volstead Act. The next great step was taken when Massachusetts, by initiative, repealed its version of the "Volstead Act" in 1930. A little over three years later the Twenty-first Amendment ended the national experiment freeing the states to regulate and tax intoxicating liquors." As always Mass Cann wishes all members of the media success in their pursuit of happiness today and every day. For additional information on legalizing cannabis go to: NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml 10-10-18 As election day approaches what's being said about cannabis in the Massachusetts Media Georgetown, MA - On November 2, Californians will vote on Prop 19, which if approved will legalize adult possession of an ounce of marijuana and home cultivation on 25 square feet, with local governments authorized to license cultivators and retailers and collect tax on sales of marijuana. To no one's surprise Associated Press writers Pete Yost in Washington, Terry Collins and Lisa Leff in San Francisco, Samantha Young in Sacramento and Robert Jablon in Monterey Park, Calif. reported on October 15, 2010 that Attorney General Holder and the Federal Government opposes Proposition 19. While on CNN yesterday, Former Surgeon General Jocelyn Elders said, "What I think is horrible about all of this, is that we criminalize young people. And we use so many of our excellent resources ... for things that aren't really causing any problems. It's not a toxic substance." Here in Massachusetts, three days before Globe columnist Kevin Cullen wondered why "we're not having that conversation" in Massachusetts. Well Kevin we are, at least where inquisitive reporters ask the politicians questions about it. On the North Shore, the Salem News reporters are asking. On October 12, the Salem News reporting on the race in the 8th Essex House District, where voters will be polled their opinion of legislation that would allow the state to regulate the taxation, cultivation, and sale of marijuana to adults reported that: On some issues the split between the candidates does not come where some might expect. For example, a question on the Marblehead ballot this November will ask about legalizing marijuana. "I'll vote no on that," says Ehrlich. "I would be in favor of seeing us adapt something like the laws in California or Washington, D.C., where marijuana is legal for medical purposes." Three days later the Salem News reporting on the 13th Essex House District race between Republican challenger Danvers Selectman Dan Bennett and incumbent Democratic state Rep. Ted Speliotis reported that: Speliotis said he would support initiatives to legalize and tax marijuana. "I tend to support it," Speliotis said. "Small usage of marijuana is something the public, again, has begun to accept. ... I don't buy into, 'It's an entry-level drug.'" The bigger drug issue comes from those who are battling cocaine and OxyContin addiction, Speliotis said, a problem that has led to an epidemic of house breaks across the North Shore. Bennett views legalizing marijuana from a public safety perspective. "If you are smoking marijuana and you are driving, you are putting people at risk," said Bennett, who does not favor further legalization. "If you legalize it, you put the public safety at risk," Bennett said. However, "what someone does in their home is their business, not Dan Bennett's business." On October 16, the Salem News reported on the race in the 12th Essex House District between Democrat Joyce Spiliotis and Republican Martin Scafidi: Though it's on the ballot in other local communities, not Peabody, Spiliotis said she would support legalizing and taxing marijuana. "I hadn't thought about it just because it's not on the ballot," she said. "(But) I don't have a problem with it, honestly. What's the difference between that and drinking?" Scafidi agrees with the decriminalization of the drug, but nothing beyond that. "I don't know that I'm for legalizing marijuana," he said. You can check all the latest news and opinion Mass Cann collects by checking our website at: http://masscann.org/the-news/322-news-and-opinion-2010 A list of all the public policy question concerning marijuana policy can be found at: http://masscann.org/legal-reform/60-politics/356-how-we-are-doing-with-ppqs Mass Cann wishes all members of the media success in their pursuit of happiness today and every day. 10-09-30 A week of Cannabis coverage in the Commonwealth Georgetown - Although we cannot find it reported anywhere else: In the race to fill Richard Tisei's vacated Middlesex - Essex Senate seat: Democratic state Senate candidate Katherine Clark pounced on her Republican opponent Craig Spadafora saying at Wednesday night's debate (9/22) he would support the legalization of marijuana and not tax it, sending out a press release on Thursday with comments from the Melrose and Wakefield police chiefs condemning Spadafora's stance. The Melrose Patch, September 24 Those questions are all non-binding, of course, and if past history holds, even the legislators in those districts will ignore the results. The Massachusetts Legislature has for many years refused to even discuss marijuana policy. Two years ago, voters took the issue out of the Legislature's hands, approving the decriminalizing of marijuana. Question 2 passed with 65 percent of the vote. Speaking of Question 19, the latest poll released Wednesday by the Public Policy Institute of California shows Prop 19 ahead with 52% supporting it and 41% against it. The Field poll released last weekend showed 50% support Prop 19. A list of all the public policy question concerning marijuana policy can be found at: Mass Cann wishes all members of the media success in their pursuit of happiness this weekend and every day. NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml 10-09-13 Twenty-First Annual Freedom Rally - Cannabis is Medicine Georgetown - On September 18, the Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition (Mass Cann) will host its 21st annual Freedom Rally, beginning at high noon on the Boston Common. This year's theme, "Cannabis is Medicine" highlights Mass Cann's ongoing efforts to obtain passage by a reluctant legislature of legislation that would allow patients with their doctor's written recommendation, or such patient's registered caregiver, to possess and grow marijuana for the patient's medical use. NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml 10-04-19 It is Four Twenty, do you know when this year's Freedom Rally is? Georgetown, MA - Tuesday, April 20 is a special day for many members of the Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition. It is why Dan Gervais begins his War On Lies Walk from the Harborwalk near the John Joseph Moakley Courthouse at 11:00 a.m. It is why at 4:20 p.m. there are likely to be acts of civil disobedience on the State House steps in Boston in protest of Beacon Hill's failure to enact a workable medical marijuana law and in Concord, NH at 4:20 p.m. in protest of New Hampshire's politicians also failing to listen to reason. There is another "tea party" movement, not lead by Sarah Palin, but one to which she is invited. This other "tea party movement" is older. It applies to the members of the coalition, their increasing politicization and frustration with politicians on Beacon Hill and in Concord who refuse to find a way to join Maine and Rhode Island in allowing some to consume it as medicine. For residents of the Connecticut River Valley, 420 came early. They demonstrated for change this past Saturday at the U-Mass Cannabis Reform Coalition's "Extravaganja. There, before a gathering of thousands of mostly college age voters, Green-Party Candidate for Governor, Jill Stein, declared, "Massachusetts needs to join the fourteen other states that allow patients to use marijuana with a doctor's recommendation." Mass Cann also takes pleasure that on the afternoon of April 20 we will unveil our Boston Freedom Rally website for the 21st Annual Boston Freedom Rally, to be held on Saturday, September 18, 2010. NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml 10-02-15 Democratic Leadership kills medical marijuana bill for 9th session in a row Georgetown, MA - On Tuesday, March 16, medical marijuana Representative Jeffrey Sánchez (D- Fifteenth Suffolk) chair of the Public Health Committee effectively killing for another year H. 2160, "An Act to regulate the medical use of marijuana by patients approved by physicians and certified by the department of public health.
Since passage of Chapter 94D, on December 31, 1991 and the Federal Government's refusal in 1992 to give Massachusetts a source of cannabis, bills have been filed that would effectively get the safest therapeutically know substance to Massachusetts' patients.
MASS CANN/NORML will be at the Wake Up The Earth Festival on Saturday, May 1, gathering signatures for a local ballot question that will instruct Mr. Sanchez, if he remains in office after November, to support medical marijuana legislation. Unfortunately, such questions are not binding and who ever wins the election will be free to ignore their community.
Mass Cann President, Keith Saunders, upon hearing the news had this to say, "The Committee is supporting the black market trade in marijuana. It appears they would prefer that untaxed and unregulated marijuana growers and sellers keep their lucrative medicinal-user clientele. Do they think that by sending H2160 to study is helping people?"
"As I have said in the past, Rep. Sanchez opposes medicinal marijuana in thought and deed. It could not be more clear through his inactions that he has a cold heart toward legitimately sick and suffering people in his own district and across the Commonwealth. With effective laws in 14 states and the District of Columbia, and well more than 75% support by voters statewide and more than 80% of his district, there is no controversy. Marijuana is medicine, when used as medicine."
For more information on cannabis' medicinal value visit Emerging Clinical Applications for Cannabis and Cannabinoids- A Review of the Recent Scientific Literature, 2000 - 2010
NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml 10-03-07 Representatives Sánchez and Malia on Medical Marijuana Legislation Georgetown, MA - On Tuesday, March 2, medical marijuana supporters presented Representative Jeffrey Sánchez (D- Fifteenth Suffolk) with over 1,000 postcards from voters in his district asking him to support H. 2160, "An Act to regulate the medical use of marijuana by patients approved by physicians and certified by the department of public health. This bill awaits action by the Public Health committee he chairs, following a public hearing on it on May 19, 2009. The Jamaica Plain Gazette reports that Representative Sánchez, who has served in the house since 2003, claims "the bill is just a year old . . . and is being examined carefully, not blocked, because it is a complex issue." In the same story, he compares the time delay to "a bill banning junk food in schools that recently left his committee after eight years." "Mr. Sánchez is rewriting history when he says H. 2160 is just a year old," commented Mass Cann spokesperson, Steven Epstein. "Massachusetts recognized the medicinal value of cannabis in 1992. Then Governor Weld approved the "Controlled Substance Therapeutic Research Act" one of the first in the country to legalize medical use it requires a federally approved source. It soon became a cruel joke when the federal government refused to approve a supplier. Legislation to correct this problem and make other changes has been filed every session since then." In the same JP Gazette story, one of the bill's cosponsors, state representative, Liz Malia says, "It's a sensitive issue, and I think it probably always will be a sensitive issue." Mr. Epstein asks, "How can it be following Question 2's overwhelming victory in general and the 7News/Suffolk University poll released September 23, 2009 that found 81% supportfor allowing terminally or seriously ill patients to use, grow and purchase marijuana for medical purposes if they have the approval and are under supervision of their physicians." The American Medical Association Board of Delegates recently voted to amend its policy toward medical marijuana and is now urging "that marijuana's status as a federal Schedule I controlled substance be reviewed with the goal of facilitating the conduct of clinical research and development of cannabinoid-based medicines, and alternate delivery methods." Last month, in a landmark report to the state legislature, the California Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research announced that its studies have shown marijuana to be safe and effective in relieving the chronic pain of neuralgia. "The findings are very consistent," remarked CMCR director Prof. Igor Grant, "There is good evidence now that cannabinoids may be a good adjunct or even first line treatment." Neuralgia is a type of pain caused by damaged nerves that is particularly resistant to other therapies . Some 10% of the population are said to be affected by neuralgia. A fifth CMCR study found marijuana effective in reducing muscle spasticity in multiple sclerosis patients. A sixty study demonstrated the efficacy of smokeless vaporizers as an alternative delivery system to smoked marijuana. To read the report go to, http://www.cmcr.ucsd.edu/geninfo/marijuana.htm For more information on cannabis' medicinal value visit Emerging Clinical Applications for Cannabis and Cannabinoids- A Review of the Recent Scientific Literature, 2000 - 2010 H 2160 has been endorsed by: The Mass. Public Health Association The Mass Nurses Association The Massachusetts Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; The Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition; AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod; Cambridge Cares about AIDS; AIDS Action Committee; The Massachusetts Hepatitis Patient Empowerment Project; The Massachusetts Bar Association (MBA); Sheriffs Carmen Massimiano (Berkshire County), Robert Garvey (Hampshire County), Richard Bretschneider (Nantucket County), and Andrea Cabral (Suffolk County) For more information on H. 2160 please watch these videos: Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Hearing Video Part 1 Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Hearing Video Part 2, MS Patient Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Hearing Part 3 (Marci Duda, Grandmother & Medical User) Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Hearing Part 4, MassCann/NORML President Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Hearing Part 5: John Madfis, Son Has Crohns Disease Medical Marijuana User Marcy Duda and Governor Deval Patrick For more information on H. 2247 filed in the 185th Session of the General Court (2007-2008) please watch these videos: MA Medical Marijuana Hearing- 12/12/2007- Part 1 of a Series MA Medical Marijuana Hearing- 12/12/2007- Part 2 of a Series MA Medical Marijuana Hearing-12/12/2007- Part 3 H 2247 was a refile of H 2742 filed in the 184th Session of the General Court (2005-2006), which itself was a refile of H 2965 filed in the 183rd Session of the General Court (2003-2005)
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