When it comes to states with legal weed, Massachusetts is one where the law governing the said industry is a bit hazy and undecided. Even now, they’re lawmakers are frantically scrambling and writing away new laws concerning marijuana usage in their state. The people of Massachusetts are curious about the kind of changes and how significant these changes are to the voter-approved law. On one hand the Massachusetts Senate would like to make certain changes, bit on the other hand legalization advocates prefer the Senate version.
The Tax
The Massachusetts House proposed a staggering 28% tax on any and all marijuana products but the Senate prefers a 12% tax; the latter was approved by the voters. Current law requires a 3.75% excise tax alongside a 6.25% sales tax. The local community is allowed to add a 2% tax, so it ranges from 10% to 12%. Advocates of the legalization state that if the tax is high, then there won’t be improvements against the black market.
Local Government Control or Voter Referendum?
Under the existing law, local voters are allowed to vote for the banning of marijuana in their community and the senate would enforce the result. The House wants to hand over the control to local government bodies and this decision is supported by the Massachusetts Municipal Association.
Canabis Control Commission
The House as well as the Senate agrees in improving the Canabis Control Commission; it will also be the one that governs over retail pot shop licensing. As for the appointment power under the commission, they will be divided among the state treasurer, governor and state attorney. In the original voter-approved law, it’s stated that the state treasurer should be wider control; this is because activists that drafted the law based it on alcohol regulation that falls under the office of the treasurer.