Massachusetts delays retail sales of marijuana by six months

[DonViejo]

Source: Reuters

28 DEC 2016 AT 16:00 ET

Massachusetts lawmakers on Wednesday pushed through a surprise six-month delay in the retail sale of marijuana for recreational use, saying they needed more time to tinker with a legalization measure that voters approved last month.

Meeting during a holiday-shortened week, the state’s House and Senate voted to push back the licensing of cannabis shops from Jan. 1, 2018, until July 1 that year, according to a copy of the legislation posted online.

The delay frustrated those who championed a Nov. 8 ballot measure, easily approved by voters, to allow use of the drug by adults 21 and older in private places.

Personal possession, use and cultivation became legal on Dec. 15, making Massachusetts one of eight U.S. states to take that step since voters in Washington and Colorado first approved the idea in 2012. Wednesday’s legislation does not change that.

Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/2016/12/massachusetts-delays-retail-sales-of-marijuana-by-six-months/

[yallerdawg]

1. Became legal in Massachustts.

Not legal in USA.

Could they be "hedging" their bet a little to see what a new DoJ looks like?

Hanging over all the states is what action President-elect Donald Trump will take after he is sworn in on Jan. 20. Marijuana remains illegal under federal law, and legalization by the states has occurred only because of the blessing of the outgoing Obama administration.

[AtheistCrusader]

2. It would be hilariously bad for them to crack down on it now.

Washington (My home state) would be completely screwed.

[yallerdawg]

3. Put out a warning...

and then hit the "dealers?"

We'll see...

[AtheistCrusader]

4. Hope not. But the angry orange road rage simian didn't carry any of these states, so I can see him

doing it, as a form of retribution.

[Dustlawyer]

5. I think they are hedging their bets because the new AG, Sessions is an idiot who

would love to screw with the states that legalized! He is a big proponent of civil asset forfeiture and I am sure he is salivating at the billions he can now seize for law enforcement and his agency! A big states rights guy until he is not (Republican hypocrisy at it's finest) I would be very worried if I have any business in marijuana in one of those states!

[JenniferJuniper]

6. you can still...

[DownriverDem]

7. Good Luck

In Michigan the voters approved medical marijuana in 2008. Ever since the RWNJ repubs took over our state, they have been doing all they can to make it hard for those who qualify to get it. Who knows what Trump will do. That's the problem. Way too many folks believed his lies.