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J38<br />
ment among other things … Small farmers in this state and<br />
across the country, a lot of them are struggling and they<br />
see a new product they might be able to sell. Hemp in particular<br />
is not controversial, [so] they are hopeful they will<br />
be able to participate in this market and provide.”<br />
On why voters should support the Senate bill (as opposed<br />
to the House bill) :<br />
“My principles were: 1—To respect the will of the voters<br />
and; 2—To drive people [away] from the illegal market [and]<br />
into the legal market and; 3—To see what we can do to remedy<br />
the damage done to communities by the war on drugs …<br />
Our bill does not change the local approval of a ban. The<br />
voters voted that they would like the opportunity if there<br />
is to be a [town/city] ban [of recreational sales], that they<br />
get to vote on it, not a legislative body:<br />
This week, [legislators] need to hear from people, and<br />
don’t just send form emails please, actually call, speak to<br />
the staff probably and let them know why it’s important<br />
to follow the will of the voters and not just to keep it legal<br />
but to provide access, a legal supply, otherwise people will<br />
drive to Maine or go to a street corner …<br />
If you want to kill the black market you have to<br />
provide quality product and a price that doesn’t have a<br />
high premium. People will pay a small premium for a legal<br />
product, but that’s it.”<br />
BONUS:<br />
LISTENER-SUBMITTED QUESTIONS!<br />
Is it legal for a Senator to use cannabis?<br />
“We’re human beings like everybody else.”<br />
How do we avoid regulatory capture of the legal cannabis<br />
market in Mass, such as dispensaries/lobbyists<br />
gaming the system against consumers and growers?<br />
“I think the way both the Senate and House bills attempt<br />
to avoid regulatory capture is to have three<br />
sets of eyes on it. The treasurer appoints the chair, the<br />
governor and attorney general would appoint other<br />
members on the Cannabis Commission, whereas in<br />
the original Cannabis Commission all three were to<br />
be appointed by the treasurer, which we feared could<br />
lead to regulatory capture. And vigilance is the price of<br />
democracy.”
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