Massachusetts to vote on legalization of marijuana

Massachusetts began early voting yesterday, just two weeks before election day. One question on the ballot will determine whether or not the state will legalize the recreational use of marijuana. Under the new law, people 21 years-old and older would be able to use, grow, and possess marijuana.The measure would create a coalition to oversee marijuana legalization and issue licenses to firms that seek to sell marijuana products. Retail marijuana would also be subject to the state sales tax with an excise tax. Revenue from these taxes, along with fees associated with the commercial distribution of marijuana, would help to cover administrative costs of the new law. Director of the Regulate Rhode Island coalition, Jared Moffat, said that the outcome in Massachusetts may have a direct impact on the possibility of legislation in Rhode Island. “The impact of Massachusetts’ vote will be significant in Rhode Island. It’s not a guarantee by any means that the legislature will pass it in 2017, but there’s gonna be a lot of discussion in Rhode Island if Massachusetts does approve it,” Moffat said.  A recent WBUR poll suggests that Massachusetts is leaning towards voting to legalize recreational marijuana on Election Day. If approved, marijuana legalization would take effect on December 15, 2016.