Pubdate: Mon, 18 Feb 2013
Source: Boston Globe (MA)
Copyright: 2013 Globe Newspaper Company
Contact: http://services.bostonglobe.com/news/opeds/letter.aspx?id=6340
Website: http://bostonglobe.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/52
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n072/a05.html
Author: Jamie Leaver

BIDS TO REVAMP QUESTION 3 SUBVERTS VOTERS' WILL

Your editorial page lends support to state Senator John Keenan's 
thinly varnished attempt to subvert the will of 63 percent of 
Massachusetts' voters who favor medical marijuana ("State should 
assign marijuana from warehouses, not stores," Editorial, 2/7).

Keenan states a concern that the law runs afoul of federal law as one 
reason for his bill. He would limit cultivation to 10 large sites. 
Wouldn't that pose an inviting challenge to federal prosecutors 
looking to make 10 busts?

Keenan's bill would require courier services to deliver cannabis, but 
neither the Postal Service nor any recognized national carrier will.

Like Keenan, the Globe opposed Question 3 and would now join the 
paternalistic efforts of a small minority who claim voters are 
incapable of understanding what they voted for.

Voters approved a medical marijuana plan that includes dispensaries. 
They also entrusted doctors with patient eligibility determinations, 
rather than calling for prescriptions to be monitored by the state.

Any attempt to change the clear language of the ballot initiative 
prior to rule-making nullifies the democratic process.

Jamie Leaver

Sharon
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom