State Lawmakers Are Looking to Delay New Cannabis Laws

Government officials may be looking to delay the implementation of their states’ newly passed laws to regulate cannabis. In Massachusetts, 54 percent of voters decided in November to permit the sale and possession of cannabis for recreational use when they passed Question 4.

The law determined December 15 to be the day when adults could begin possessing and growing cannabis at home. However, Boston Globe reported that two people familiar with the legislators’ intentions have stated that legislators are looking to delay the date that residents can start cultivating cannabis at home, although they do not plan to delay the date when adults can consume and possess cannabis.

Officials are also worried that a January 2018 deadline for recreational cannabis retail stores does not give legislators enough time to regulate them appropriately. The House majority leader Ronald Mariano shared his opinion on this matter with Boston Globe. “We probably need to agree to extend the implementation date, so we can take an in-depth look at how the ballot question was written,” Mariano said.

Like any other law, the House and Senate can move to change a law by going through a legislative process. This requires them to not only get the approval from the House and Senate, but they also need approval from the governor. Governor Charlie Baker has said he will stand for the wishes of the voters, but in order to ensure public safety, it might be necessary to amend Question 4.

Lizzy Guyton is Governor Baker’s Spokeswoman, and she shared Baker’s intentions with Boston Globe. “The administration looks forward to working with legislators and is committed to responsibly implementing the law, while adhering to the will of the voters,” Guyton said.

Voters in Maine are also facing some pushback from Republican Governor Paul LePage. LePage told a Portland radio station that he is not sure if he is going to enforce a cannabis law that is against federal law. Instead he said he is going to take the issue up with President-elect Donald Trump.

Another state that may be facing issues with its newly passed cannabis measure is Arkansas. Governor Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas used to be the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration. Hutchinson did say that state agencies would put the new law, which allow medical cannabis, into effect. However, he has also made statements that cause worry among many in Arkansas, according to Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette. “Congress is going to have to address it,” Hutchinson said. “I don’t like implementing laws in Arkansas that violate federal law. That is a given. That’s where we are. And that’s not a good position to be in.”

Even with great victories, it is clear that the cannabis industry still has to fight for safe access and adult use. It will be interesting to see how quickly the new markets will be created and if any other hiccups stand in the way of new recreational and medical cannabis states.