Pubdate: Sat, 23 Apr 2016
Source: Boston Globe (MA)
Copyright: 2016 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
Author: Terry Franklin

IT MAY BE TOUGH TO FIELD A DIVERSE GROUP FOR CANNABIS OVERSIGHT COMMISSION

Dr. Kevin P. Hill's April 15 opinion piece, "Getting marijuana policy 
right," stated that, in his opinion, "no one with any ties to pro-or 
antimarijuana groups should serve on the Cannabis Control Commission."

In reality, such commissions are usually filled either with retired 
politicians or with people with business connections to the industry 
being regulated. Almost every politician since the 1930s, at least in 
the two main parties, has been OK with marijuana prohibition. Many 
were fanatically anti-marijuana, and the others were at least content 
with acquiescing to the status quo.

Since so-called neutral parties may be hard to find, the likelihood 
is that a whole bunch of opponents and proponents - but proponents 
with a strong business take on things - will be gunning for a job on 
the commission. I am hoping that the commission will also comprise 
some people who, though pro-marijuana, are not pro-big business.

Terry Franklin

Amherst
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom