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 A group of 59 state residents challenged the measure, submitted by
the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, saying that a
summary of the petition produced by the office of state Attorney
General Maura Healey and used to gather supporters' signatures was
insufficiently specific.
Massachusetts is one of a half-dozen U.S. states, including
California and Maine, where voters may have a chance this fall to
follow Colorado, Washington, Alaska and Oregon in legalizing
recreational use of the drug by adults 21 and over.
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court is scheduled to hear
arguments from opponents, who contend the official summary of the
measure is fatally flawed for a variety of reasons. They say it does
not specifically use the word "food" to make clear that the measure
would allow the sale of edible products such as candy that contain
Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the ingredient that causes the drug's
effects.
"Edible products with THC are dangerous for adults and children (who
mistakenly ingest innocent-looking, but THC-infused, candy, cookies
and sodas)," the opponents of the measure argued in a court filing
ahead of the hearing.
Opponents also argued that the description fails to mention the word
"hashish," which they described as a stronger form of the drug,
typically presented as an oil.
Healey's office rejected that claim, saying, "the term 'hashish'
does not have a single commonly accepted meaning that voters would
necessarily understand."
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After supporters gathered 64,000 voter signatures and the attorney
general's office verified the measure's suitability for the ballot,
the state legislature had a chance in May to enact it without
waiting for a vote. Lawmakers declined to do so and proponents now
need to gather another 10,000 signatures to secure the initiative a
spot on the November ballot.
Some of the state's top elected officials, including Republican
Governor Charlie Baker and Boston Mayor Martin Walsh, a Democrat,
have come out against the idea of legalizing recreational marijuana
use in the state.
Massachusetts already allows medical marijuana use.
Polls have found voters in the state narrowly supportive of
recreational use, with 49 percent of respondents to a May poll by
WBUR/MassInc Poll supporting it and 42 percent opposing it.
(Reporting by Scott Malone; Editing by Dan Grebler)
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