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Massachusetts Joint Committee To Consider Cannabis Bill

Bill H.1632: The Cannabis Regulation and Taxation Act

A bill that would legalize and regulate cannabis in Massachusetts was referred to the Joint Committee on the Judiciary this week. A date for the hearing has not yet been determined, but the committee will consider the merits of Bill H.1632 –The Cannabis Regulation and Taxation Act. The bill would make Massachusetts the third state to regulate cannabis behind Colorado and Washington.

The Cannabis Regulation and Taxation Act would allow for the cultivation, processing, and retail of cannabis for those 21 and over. Polls have shown a great deal of public support the bill, which makes sense when you consider Massachusetts citizens voted to decriminalize cannabis in 2008 and medical marijuana in 2012. With that said, some feel it may be an uphill battle to persuade legislators to pass Bill H.1632.

Joint Committee To Consider Cannabis Legislation

This is not the first time The Cannabis Regulation and Taxation Act will be in front of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. Bill H.1632 was sent to committee after its proposal in January and nothing came of it. Unfortunately, this seems to be the trend, as similar bills have been introduced in the past to no avail.

“Massachusetts would become the first state to pass retail cannabis regulations through state legislature.”

Massachusetts’ individual history is not the only matter standing in the way of The Cannabis Regulation and Taxation Act. If passed, Massachusetts would become the first state to pass retail cannabis regulations through state legislature. Both Colorado and Washington passed their regulations through popular ballot initiatives. The first state legislature to pass a bill to tax and regulate cannabis is likely to cause a domino effect, and many legislators seem to be waiting for someone else to take the lead.

With that said, Massachusetts is in a position to get the ball rolling in terms of cannabis legislation. The Cannabis Regulation and Taxation is set to appear in front of the Massachusetts Joint Committee on the Judiciary. Although no date has been set, you can contribute by contacting members of the committee to express support for Bill H.1632 in the meantime.

Massachusetts Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Senate Members

House Members