Pubdate: Wed, 01 Jun 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: Joshua Miller, Globe Staff

RETAILERS ASSOCIATION COMES OUT AGAINST POT LEGALIZATION

A top retailers group, worried about worker productivity declining and
plumes of pot smoke deterring customers from Main Street businesses,
came out Wednesday against a ballot question that would legalize marijuana.

Jon B. Hurst, president of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts,
had earlier said he and his members were torn on the controversial
issue and likely to stay neutral.

But he said Wednesday, after learning more about the potential
drawbacks of the proposed referendum - from the proliferation of
marijuana-infused edibles like brownies, to its generous limits on the
home growing of pot - his group decided, on balance, it would be best
if the ballot push is defeated.

Retailers have "a major stake in promoting safe, healthy communities,
and the introduction of the marijuana industry runs counter to that
goal," Hurst said.

He explained what "really turned us was to see just how far the
proponents went with the language." Hurst said that two state senators
who had traveled to Colorado met with members of his group and
detailed legalization's effect there, and the specifics of the
Massachusetts measure.

In particular, Hurst expressed concern about the Massachusetts ballot
push not specifying measures to limit marijuana-infused edible
products (it would leave those up to a commission), and allowing
people to grow up to 12 marijuana plants per household for personal
use.

Opponents assert that the proliferation of edible products causes a
ripple of negative effects, from kids accidently ingesting pot-infused
candy and getting sick, to police not being able to tell if a cookie
in a car they have pulled over is filled with marijuana or just sugar.

And opponents worry that the 12-marijuana plant limit for home growing
would cause headaches for law enforcement and allow potential
diversion to the black market.

Hurst said his association, which represents about 4,000 small and
medium-size businesses across the state, was also concerned about
people smoking marijuana outside of Main Street businesses, which
could turn off potential customers. Even though public pot smoking
would remain illegal under the measure, he said his members are
concerned about the possibility that legalization would increase
street smoking.

Jim Borghesani, communications director for the main pro-legalization
group, the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in
Massachusetts, brushed off the retailers' fears as baseless. He said
there have been no issues involving worker impairment in the four
states where voters have legalized marijuana - Colorado, Washington,
Oregon, and Alaska - and no negative impact on retail
establishments.

He told the Globe his group anticipates Massachusetts will have the
strictest regulations on edibles in the country, since the state will
be learning from the experience of the four other states where voters
have legalized the drug.

"Legalization is working in other states and will work in
Massachusetts. These states are seeing hundreds of millions of dollars
in new revenues along with thousands of new jobs," he said in an
email. "Legalizing and regulating marijuana will take the power away
from gangs and cartels and place control with state and local
authorities."

Hurst's group joins a diverse array of business, medical, law
enforcement and other organizations opposed to legal pot. They include
the Massachusetts Hospital Association and Associated Industries of
Massachusetts, a group that represents employers.

Much of the political activity against the effort - including the
retailers' announcement - is coming from the Campaign for a Safe and
Healthy Massachusetts, which is backed by political leaders including
Republican Governor Charlie Baker and Democratic Mayor Martin J. Walsh
of Boston.

Should the proposed law make the ballot, and should voters green-light
it in November, possessing, using, and giving away 1 ounce or less of
recreational marijuana would be legal for adults 21 and older as of
Dec. 15, and retail sales could start in January 2018.
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