Pubdate: Fri, 12 Oct 2012
Source: Walpole Times (MA)
Copyright: 2012 GateHouse Media, Inc..
Contact:  http://www.wickedlocal.com/walpole
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5346
Author: Veronica Hamlett

WALPOLE BOARD OF HEALTH WEIGHS IN ON MARIJUANA QUESTION

The Board of Health proclaimed its opposition to medicinal marijuana 
at its meeting on Tuesday night. Voters will consider allowing 35 
medical marijuana dispensaries around the state on the ballot on Nov. 6.

Walpole Police Chief Richard Stillman and the Massachusetts 
Association of Police Chiefs are opposing the ballot question. Health 
Agent Robin Chapell asked her board to take a stance to support the 
chief's work.

"Our police chief and deputy have actually spoken on some radio shows 
and they believe it will affect Walpole if it is passed," she said.

Chapell and board members agreed with Stillman's stance, that 
allowing medicinal marijuana decreases the perception of harm. 
Children and teens are more apt to try it if doctors are prescribing 
it, Chapell said.

The ballot question itself is also too vague, she added.

"They don't tell you what sicknesses you can get medical marijuana 
for, so it could be anything, and it doesn't say what ages," Chapell 
said. "The big thing is the perception of harm. Here we have a 
coalition because we're trying to change the culture of drinking and 
using drugs, and it would hurt that."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom