BOSTON — A group supporting a ballot initiative to legalize marijuana in Massachusetts is accusing Gov. Charlie Baker and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh of being hypocritical for opposing it.
In fact, the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana tried to tie both elected officials to the alcohol industry, and even proudly displayed a graphic of Baker and Walsh with a speech bubble reading, "Our Health Policy, Drink More Alcohol."
Walsh is a recovering alcoholic.
When asked if that was appropriate, Campaign Manager Will Luzier said "Look, I understand Mayor Walsh is a recovering alcoholic, you know I know Mayor Walsh personally, and his advocacy for the expansion of operating hours for alcohol establishments and the expansion of licenses in the City of Boston I believe are in conflict with his position as a recovering alcoholic."
FOX25 Political Reporter Sharman Sacchetti Showed Mayor Walsh the comments. He called them "foolish,"and said he stands by his believe that pot is a gateway drug.
"This person who has put this ad up, he's made some other outrageous statements, I mean c'mon grow up,"
the Mayor said. He also defended his record of legislative accomplishments.
"It's very clear for my 19 years in politics what we've done for the recovery community," he said.
The pro-legalization activists also pointed to the Governor's support for repealing the alcohol tax. In a one-on-one interview Sacchetti asked the Governor why he decided to actively take on this fight.
He pointed to the special senate report that studied legalization in Colorado. "This is not, this is not just about smoking a joint once in a while. This is a much different issue."
We reached out to the Campaign for a Safe and Healthy Massachusetts, a group organized to fight legalized marijuana in Massachusetts.
Spokesman Corey Welford told FOX25, "When it comes to an issue like the health and safety of kids, voters deserve better than absurd, disingenuous attacks from the marijuana industry. The marijuana industry is the only one that stands to make billions in profits from this new law, and they will do and say anything to distract from the real issue. The fact is that legalizing marijuana will increase addiction and harm our kids. That is why this proposed law is good for corporate marijuana, and bad for Massachusetts families."
A proposed November ballot question would allow Massachusetts residents 21 or older to possess up to 1 oz. of marijuana.
Cox Media Group
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