Four Members of Mass. Congressional Delegation Oppose Question 4??
BOSTON, MA????? Highlighting concerns for public safety, law enforcement, and public health,??Congressman Bill Keating, Congressman Joe Kennedy III, Congressman Stephen F. Lynch,??and Congresswoman Niki Tsongas today voiced opposition to Ballot Question 4 that would legalize commercial marijuana in the state.
???I have been involved in the recovery community for a long time; I helped to establish an adolescent drug rehab facility, the Cushing House, in South Boston. I’ve spoken with hundreds of men and women on the road to recovery and I have not met a young addict yet that didn???t start with marijuana. I am opposed to Question Four because I do not think flooding the streets with another drug is good for our young people or good for society. Legalizing commercial marijuana is a move in the wrong direction, we will live to regret it,??? said??Congressman Lynch??(D ??? 8th District).??
“The legalization of marijuana is a contentious issue, and there are valid points on both sides. While I firmly support decriminalization for minor possession and the use of marijuana for medical purposes, I have serious concerns with going so far as full legalization. Many unanswered questions remain about the financial costs, law enforcement implications and broader social impact, and my concerns echo those of the many medical, law enforcement and substance abuse experts in our region opposed to the measure,” said Congresswoman Tsongas (D ??? 3rd District).
“For the past several years, the troubling consequences of patchwork marijuana legalization have played out across the country. Most critically, the research has remained clear –??short-term and??long-term use of marijuana has serious health impacts for young people in particular. At a time when Massachusetts is facing a crippling addiction crisis, increasing access to yet another controlled substance undermines the families, individuals, communities, law enforcement officials and health care workers on the front lines of this epidemic every single day,”??said Congressman Kennedy (D ??? 4th District).
???Given that there has been a 62% increase in marijuana-related traffic deaths since the 2013 legalization of recreational marijuana in Colorado, I have some serious concerns with legalization in Massachusetts. Additionally, a growing number of studies indicate frequent use of marijuana at an early age can disrupt brain development.?? According to Dr. Nora Volkow, the Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there is yet to be any research produced on the potential effects of secondhand marijuana smoke on children.?? As such, I am a no on question 4,??? said Congressman Keating (D ??? 9th District).
These members of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation join an unprecedented, bipartisan group of doctors, nurses, health care professionals, child protection advocates, and community leaders opposing Question 4.?? Among those opposing Question 4 are:?? the Massachusetts Hospital Association, Massachusetts Medical Society, Massachusetts Municipal Association, Conference of Boston Teaching Hospitals, Associated Industries of Massachusetts, Retailers Association of Massachusetts, Association of School Superintendents, Construction Industries of Massachusetts, Action for Boston Community Development, Association for Behavioral Healthcare, National Association of Mental Illness (Massachusetts Chapter), Massachusetts Chiefs of Police, Massachusetts Sheriffs Association, and all Massachusetts District Attorneys.
Question 4 is also opposed by elected leaders such as Governor Charlie Baker, Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, Speaker Robert DeLeo, Attorney General Maura Healey, Sheriff Steve Tompkins, and 120 state senators and representatives from across the Commonwealth.
For more information on the Campaign for a Safe and Healthy Massachusetts, visit??safeandhealthyma.com??or on twitter at @safehealthyma.