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Soon? (photo: epape via Flickr)
Since Massachusetts uses a unique form of the indirect initiative system, now that the Secretary of State has certified that the measure received enough valid signatures it’s sent directly to the state legislature. If majorities in the state legislature approve the initiative it will become law right away. If the state legislature doesn’t adopt the initiative, supporters can gather another roughly 11,000 signatures to have the initiative placed on the general election ballot. If voters approve the initiative it will then become law thirty days later.
It is possible that the Massachusetts’ legislature will save everyone some time by approving the initiative now that it has been sent to them. It is what their constituents want.
Even if the legislature doesn’t act, medical marijuana will probably be legalized in the state before the end of the year. If the legislature doesn’t approve the initiative, it is very likely the add-on signatures will be gathered to put the measure on November 2012 ballot. If the initiative makes it onto the ballot, it is almost assured to be approved by the voters in the state. Massachusetts voters have been very supportive marijuana policy reform. With 58 percent of the state supporting full legalization of marijuana there is little doubt they would vote to legalize medical marijuana for very ill patients.
Before this year is over it is very likely Massachusetts will become one of the newest states to allow the use of medical marijuana.
8 Comments
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I’m guessing the picture is not Massachusetts.
It’s part of a plot to confuse the New England Patriots.
Wonder how that finger in the dike is holding out for Eric Holder.
Doofus.
Yep, States say yes and 0 puppy doj holder say No. Just more hopism
My hunch is the Mass legislature will punt on this as they did with MJ decriminalization not long ago. So it would go to the ballot in Nov.
Regardless of raw poll numbers, which are supportive, the controversy’s decibel level will be at least as high as during the decriminalization campaign. There were people of consequence adamantly opposed then, the most vocal being in law enforcement. It seemed as if their function was making law and policy rather than enforcing what’s on the books.
The question for the 2012 ballot is a much bigger step than the MJ decriminalization question. Perhaps success with decriminalization, i.e., absence of the predicted horror stories, will help proponents in 2012. Still, the opponents will be the same and as hellbent as before.
Since the legislature doesn’t need to get in front of this, I’d bet they won’t. They’ll let it run its course, and leave it alone if it wins by ballot with a substantial margin.
Were you referring to the sign or the palm trees?
LOL – I love Mass – not sure a law is needed in Western Mass to get some weed growing :-)
:-) :-)
If only if my wife and the kids were not allergic to the smoke – but still, it should calm down the drivers and reduce “competitive commuting”