Published: 3/17/2017 11:03:06 PM
The treasurer, state gaming commission chairman, legalization advocates, and representatives from the attorney general’s office and a handful of state agencies have been invited to testify Monday at the first hearing of the Joint Committee on Marijuana Policy. Massachusetts voters in November approved a marijuana legalization law and it became legal for adults to possess, use and gift marijuana in December.
Legislators are intent on making changes to the law. Monday’s hearing is the first of four hearings the committee has scheduled to hear from advocates, state officials, municipalities, the public, and other groups. The committee plans to adopt internal rules and then will welcome testimony from the organizers of the Yes on 4 ballot campaign, Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chairman Stephen Crosby, Attorney General Maura Healey’s office, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Revenue, and the Department of Agriculture.
Testimony from members of the general public will be accepted at the conclusion of the invitation portion of the hearing, according to the committee. The committee has also scheduled hearings for 4 p.m. on March 27 at the West Springfield High School auditorium, 11 a.m. April 3 at the State House, and 4 p.m. April 10 at the Shrewsbury High School. The committee, led by Braintree Rep. Mark Cusack and Somerville Sen. Patricia Jehlen, said the specific bills that will be heard at each hearing have not yet been determined. Monday’s hearing begins at 11 a.m. in Hearing Room A-1 and A-2 in the State House.