CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) -In November, Massachusetts voters passed Ballot question 4, legalizing the recreational use of marijuana for adults aged 21 and over. Now the state must move forward with determining the regulations for this new industry.
Massachusetts was one of five states that had the issue on the ballot. The measure also passed in Nevada, California, Arizona and Maine. The law is supposed to go into effect on December 15th. The legislature is working to fund and organize a Cannabis Control Commission, and determine regulations for licensing of marijuana products, retail sales and cultivation businesses. State legislators, as well as municipal governments, also have to consider education and public health and safety issues.
The commonwealth won’t generate any tax money from recreational marijuana sales for at least another year and a half, according to the state’s Department of Revenue.
This Sunday at noon on 22News InFocus, we’ll be taking a closer look at the proposed marijuana industry in Massachusetts.
Our guests will be Mayor Richard Kos of Chicopee; Mayor William Reichelt of West Springfield; Peter Bernard, Director of the Massachusetts Grower Advocacy Council and Richard Evans from the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol. They will provide insight into what the legislature,and cities and towns,will be considering when creating the cannabis regulatory laws.
You can watch 22News InFocus LIVE on the air, or streaming on your mobile device using the new 22News app. And if you miss it, you’ll find it on our website at WWLP.com.