Philly420: Pa., N.J. dither as other East Coast states move to legalize
While marijuana consumers are enjoying an open retail market in Washington and Colorado the race is on for the first state on the East Coast to end prohibition.
Massachusetts this week certified four competing marijuana petitioners to begin gathering signatures in the Bay State. The goal is to put the issue of full legalization before voters in 2016. Massachusetts residents have already approved statewide decriminalization and medical marijuana.
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren weighed in on the topic earlier this week adding momentum to the issue. In a discussion with reporter Joshua Miller from the Boston Globe that touched on a wide range of topics, Warren was asked her opinion as a voter.
"You were opposed to legalization in 2012," Miller said to Warren. "As a Massachusetts voter, what's your position today?"
Warren said that she is more receptive to the notion of legalization now. "I'm open to it," she told Miller. "I think we've learned more."
"A couple of states have legalized marijuana for recreational use. Frankly, I think we ought to be learning what we can from those states," she said.
Wicked.
Warren is best known for her fiery speeches in committees and on the Senate floor for holding Wall Street accountable for economic inequality and championing women's rights and provisions to protect workers. Some observers have hinted that Warren might be a contender for a spot as Vice President on the Democratic ticket during the 2016 election.
To the south, signatures are being gathered in Florida for a ballot initiative in 2016 to regulate cannabis. Floridians For Freedom is hitting the streets to begin the process to gain ballot approval.
At the same time , a group called United For Care is trying again for a comprehensive medical marijuana bill in Florida. A similar ballot initiative by the same group was narrowly defeated last year. Because the United For Care plan calls for an amendment to the state constitution it will take 60 percent of voters saying "yes" to pass.
Not all states have a ballot process to change laws. Vermont could be the first state in the nation do make the shift through their legislature.
Earlier this year, the RAND Corporation released a comprehensive report on the possibilities for The Green Mountain State regulating cannabis. The report was created because Vermont passed a bill to study the subject.
When the RAND report went public, Vermont Gov. Pete Shumlin said, "I continue to support moves to legalize marijuana in Vermont but have always said that we have to proceed with rigorous research and preparation before deciding whether to act. This report will help us do that."
The issue gained more steam earlier this month when Vermont's House Speaker, Rep. Shep Smith, told Vermont Public Radio, "I will support a bill to legalize marijuana if we make sure that we have very strong protections for people who are driving under the influence, to make sure that we can prosecute them, and as long as we make sure that we have laws that keep marijuana out of the hands of kids."
The entire population of Vermont at just over 626,000 is about one third the population of Philadelphia. But as RAND describes "Vermonters likely consumed between 15 and 25 metric tons of marijuana and spent between $125 million and $225 million on marijuana in 2014."
Impressive.
Washington D.C. voters approved legalization last year. It has been a quiet success story. Yet there are no retail cannabis stores in the nation's capitol. The District's unique measure only allowed growing at home. Though one does wonder how many Congressional staffers have a new gardening hobby.
Meanwhile the topic remains almost taboo in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Legalization bills have technically been introduced in both states but have received no committee hearings, co-sponsors or momentum. The bill for Pa. looks to put cannabis alongside alcohol in the state run wine and spirits stores. The Garden State bill would allow a more free market approach.
For Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the question remains. Will voters and politicians idly watch as additional states reap the tax revenue rewards after relaxing marijuana laws?
Chris Goldstein is associate editor of Freedom Leaf magazine and co-chair of PhillyNorml. Contact him at chris@freedomisgreen.com.