SJC Says Pot Question Can Go Forward, But With New Summary
BOSTON (CBS/AP) — The state's highest court has cleared the way for a question that calls for legalizing recreational marijuana in Massachusetts to appear on the November ballot.
The Supreme Judicial Court in Wednesday's ruling rejected an attempt to block the question, but did order state officials to change the wording of the title and one-sentence summary that explains the measure to voters.
The justices said the current title and summary are "clearly misleading." The court ordered that the new title include the phrase "legalization, taxation, and regulation of marijuana."
The court heard two lawsuits, one arguing that people who signed petitions supporting legalization were misled about the potency of marijuana products that could become available, including food and beverages.
Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol spokesperson Jim Borghesani told WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens that his organization is happy with the outcome.
"We're very pleased," said Borghesani. "We're pleased that the court ruled that the Massachusetts voters in November will have a chance to weigh in on whether prohibition should continue or it should end."
As for the new wording on the title and summary, Borghesani said they are spot-on.
The ruling came hours before supporters of legalized pot planned to turn in the necessary voter signatures to the secretary of state to assure a spot on the ballot.
Secretary of State Bill Galvin said he expected all four potential ballot questions to come up with the required number of signatures to be official.
"Today will be the day when we will set the ballot for November, the questions that will be presented to the voters, that will be binding," Galvin said Wednesday morning.
The SJC also rejected challenges to a ballot question regarding the confinement of animals. The other two questions expected to be on the ballot are one that would expand the number of charter schools, and another that would let the state issue a second slots parlor license.
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WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports
