Boston Globe — Report on signature drive for petition to regulate marijuana like alcohol. Rep. Jay Livingstone was one of the first signers of the petition. “State Representative Jay D. Livingstone, a Beacon Hill Democrat who lives near the State House and did show up, noted that strong majorities of Massachusetts voters approved measures that decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana in 2008 and allowed its use for medical purposes in 2012.” Read the story.
Category: Marijuana
Legalizing marijuana in Massachusetts: Lawmakers to sign onto ballot initiative
Mass Live — Report on signature drive for petition to regulate marijuana like alcohol. Rep. Jay Livingstone was one of the first signers of the petition. Read the story.
Massachusetts Legislators Among First to Sign Marijuana Legalization Initiative
Marijuana Politics — Report on signature drive for petition to regulate marijuana like alcohol. Rep. Jay Livingstone stated: “It is time for Massachusetts to shut down the illicit marijuana market by creating a new system that is carefully regulated, that returns revenues to cities and towns, and that ends forever the hypocrisy of punishing adults for choosing a substance that is less dangerous than alcohol.” Read the story.
Co-sponsorship Highlights: Criminal Justice
An Act promoting restorative justice practices
Sponsored by Rep. Garballey and Sen. Eldrige; This bill would create an option for law enforcement and courts to refer juvenile and low-level adult criminal offenders to a community-based restorative justice program in lieu of or alongside other responses (H.1313/SD.1001)
An Act eliminating mandatory minimum sentences related to drug offenses
Sponsored by Rep. Swan; This bill would eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for low level and non violent drug offenses as well as diminish disproportionately long sentences for non violent drug offenders. (H.1620)
An Act reforming pretrial process
Sponsored by Rep. Sannicandro; This bill would reform the current pretrial process in the Commonwealth by eliminating monetary bail and reevaluating assessments done to determine flight risk. (H.1584)
An Act to regulate and tax the cannabis industry
Sponsored by Rep Rogers; This bill would implement regulating and taxing the sale of marijuana in the Commonwealth which will: raise substantial revenue, reduce the burden placed on the Department of Correction and our county jails, and help eliminate a dangerous black market. (H.1561)
To see a complete list of bills that I co-sponsored this session, visit my legislative webpage at www.malegislature.gov/People/Profile/J_L1