Pubdate: Fri, 04 Jan 2013
Source: Salem News (MA)
Copyright: 2013 Eagle Tribune Publishing Company
Contact: http://www.salemnews.com/contactus/local_story_015132129.html
Website: http://www.salemnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3466
Page: 4

CITIZENS OWED FAST ACTION ON MARIJUANA LAW

The new edition of the Massachusetts Legislature was sworn in 
Wednesday, and its agenda in the days ahead will likely be a lively 
one, between new concerns over budgeting, revenue streams, local aid 
issues and other bills awaiting renewed action.

But there's one item that should be at the top of lawmakers' dance 
cards - and it shouldn't take months of dancing around it either. 
It's the expected tweaking and implementation of the new medical 
marijuana law that gained voters' overwhelming approval at the polls 
in November.

The fact that medicinal marijuana gained the roaring approval of 
voters in every Massachusetts community except Lawrence speaks to the 
level of support it has. And while that goes against the grain of 
public safety officials - and frankly, against our endorsement, as 
well - this is a time when lawmakers need to recognize the will of 
the voters and give it their priority.

Despite the referendum's broad approval, there is much work to be 
done - largely in determining how and from where the now-legal 
marijuana, with valid prescriptions, will be distributed. The 
referendum calls for 35 such "dispensaries," with at least one and no 
more than five in each county. Yet some communities - notably Peabody 
and Danvers - are already digging in their heels against the siting 
of any such facilities there, while most other cities and towns, 
including Salem, are waiting for lawmakers and the Department of 
Public Health to do their work.

It has been noted previously that the ideal medical marijuana 
"dispensaries" would seem to be existing pharmacies, given that they 
already have security systems in place for dispensing and controlling 
all sorts of prescriptions as it is. But do the pharmaceutical shops 
want that responsibility? Should cities and towns set up specific 
zoning geared toward pot dispensaries? Should the state hold the 
licensing cards when it comes to citing and regulating such shops?

All of those are valid questions that need answers before this new 
voters' "law" can truly be implemented. And voters who so loudly gave 
it their approval should not be put on hold by lawmakers they also 
chose to carry out their wishes.

The new Legislature should put this law on the fast track - starting today.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom