Fall River’s delegation opposes marijuana legalization
By: Melissa Randall
@MRandallABC6
Nearly a dozen law makers from the Bristol County area sided with the ‘Campaign for Safe and Healthy Massachusetts’ and come out against commercial marijuana legalization. They’re trying to get the word out about question 4 on the November ballot saying they believe it’s the wrong path for the state.
Of particular concern to the bi–partisan coalition are kids getting hold of the edible products. A study released this week found that the number of children under age 9 who suffered from marijuana exposure has increased by 150% in Colorado since the state legalized commercial marijuana.
But supporters say legalization could actually play a vital role in the fight against the opoid epidemic. They say states that do have legal marijuana have lower rates of opoid overdose deaths, and fewer prescriptions written for addictive painkillers.
That’s part of message of the ‘Yes on 4 Campaign,’ which kicked off today in front of the state house. Advocates there argued the benefits of regulating and taxing marijuana across the commonwealth.
Only a handful of states have legalized marijuana. If question 4 were to pass Massachusetts would be the first in the North East.
© WLNE-TV 2016
