Pubdate: Mon, 19 Nov 2012
Source: Gloucester Daily Times (MA)
Copyright: 2012 Eagle Tribune Publishing Company
Contact: http://www.gloucestertimes.com/contactus/local_story_015132144.html
Website: http://www.gloucestertimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/169
Author: Steven S. Epstein

WILL LAWMAKERS HEED CALL?

To the editor:

The Election Day poll of the 142,652 voters in the 8th Essex House, 
22nd Middlesex House, and the 1st Essex and Middlesex Senate District 
found that slightly more than 54 percent want Congress to repeal the 
federal prohibition of marijuana (Non-binding ballot Question 4). 
Only 32.5 percent opposed repeal, and 13 percent had no opinion or 
refused to answer by blanking the ballot. Slightly more than 60 
percent of the same voters favored Question 3, approving the use of 
marijuana for medical reasons, while slightly less than 36 percent 
opposed it and only 4 percent blanked the ballot.

These numbers demonstrate that the voters of the 6th Congressional 
District - and by reasonable inference, all of Massachusetts, reject 
the prohibition that never should have been. They also suggest three 
questions. The first is will state Sen. Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, 
State Rep. AnnMargaret Ferrante, who represents Gloucester, Rockport 
and Essex, the eight representatives with whom Tarr shares at least 
one precinct and state Reps. Marc Lombardo (R-22nd Middlesex), and 
Lori Ehrlich (D-8th Essex) sponsor the resolution and work to get it 
passed by both chambers of the General Court, as voters have asked them to do?

The second is will John Tierney, who squeaked by with a plurality of 
the vote, become a sponsor in the next session of Congress of 
legislation that will end the prohibition? I've already asked him yet 
again and await his reply. The third is will the General Court and 
the governor get out front on ending the prohibition here in 
Massachusetts by passing legislation establishing Constitutional 
cannabis control before the people do it for ourselves, as we did 
with Question 2 in 2008 and Question 3 this year?

STEVEN S. EPSTEIN

Georgetown
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom