Let People 'Have A Few Plants,' Says Massachusetts Senator Who Backs Legalization
Rosenberg said he hopes he and fellow lawmakers can make improvements to the question if voters approve it, but he didnt offer specific changes. He made the comments Thursday during an interview on WGBH-FM.
Rosenberg also said residents who want to cultivate their own marijuana should be able to have a few plants growing on your property.
The November ballot question would let those 21 years old or older possess up to one ounce of marijuana for recreational use and allow the home cultivation of up to 12 marijuana plants.
Rosenbergs endorsement came as opponents of the ballot question reported a $1-million donation by Las Vegas Sands Corporation CEO Sheldon Adelson, bringing their fundraising total to $1.7-million.
Supporters have raised nearly $3.7-million.
At odds with other top elected officials
Rosenbergs views put him at odds with many other top officials on Beacon Hill, including Republican Gov. Charlie Baker, Democratic Attorney General Maura Healey, Democratic House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Democratic Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, all of whom oppose Question 4.
They say legalizing pot could lead people to harder drugs, including opioids, which are blamed for a surge in overdose deaths in the state in recent years.
Baker, appearing on the same radio station just moments after Rosenberg, repeated his concerns about the ballot question.
Baker noted that Massachusetts voters already have approved the medicinal use of marijuana and have decriminalized the possession of small amounts of the drug. He said Question 4 goes beyond just the legalization of pot because it is being pushed by those hoping to open pot shops across the state.
This question is designed to create a billion-dollar industry in the commonwealth of Massachusetts that will have very few limitations on where its dispensaries go, Baker said. I think the voters, when they walk into the ballot box on this one, are going to decide that this is not the right question or the right time.
Backers of the question welcomed Rosenbergs support.
President Rosenberg deserves enormous credit for taking a courageous stand on replacing the failed system we have today with a regulated structure that will actually control ...
