Massachusetts S 1060: An Act relative to the repeal of the Citizen Referendum Law on marijuana

Bill Text

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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 792        FILED ON: 1/18/2017 
SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1060 
 
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
_________________ 
PRESENTED BY: 
William N. Brownsberger, (BY REQUEST) 
_________________ 
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General 
 Court assembled: 
 The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill: 
An Act relative to the repeal of the Citizen Referendum Law on marijuana. 
_______________ 
PETITION OF: 
 
NAME: DISTRICT/ADDRESS: 
Mark A. Thomas 482 Beacon St.  Boston, MA 02115 

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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 792        FILED ON: 1/18/2017 
SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1060 
By Mr. Brownsberger (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1060) of Mark 
A. Thomas for legislation relative to the repeal of the Citizen Referendum Law on marijuana.  
Marijuana Policy. 
 
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
 
_______________
 
In the One Hundred and Ninetieth General Court 
(2017-2018) 
_______________
 
 
An Act relative to the repeal of the Citizen Referendum Law on marijuana. 
 
 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority 
of the same, as follows: 
 
1 1. WHEREAS, by public referendum on November 8, 2016 in accord with the 
2Massachusetts Constitution, citizen in the Commonwealth voted in the affirmative to approve the 
3legal use, consumption and ingestion of certain amounts of the drug marijuana; 
4 2. WHEREAS, decriminalization of marijuana use does not eliminate other forms of 
5criminal behavior or civil infractions; 
6 3. WHEREAS, the use of marijuana will, in fact, increase criminal activity and civil 
7wrong-doing; 
8 4. WHEREAS, marijuana is a mind-altering drug that directly affects the brain, the 
9reflexes and the human thought process and its use is highly addictive; 

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10 5. WHEREAS, the medical and psychological effects and uncertain human behavior 
11as to action and intent of any person using, consuming and ingesting marijuana will be present in 
12the Commonwealth and pose a threat to the safety of all persons, property and animals; 
13 6. WHEREAS, the use of marijuana, legalized by the passage of the referendum law 
14on November 8, 2016 will substantially increase in the workplace, in homes, on the roadways, in 
15public transportation, and in all public and private spaces and offices; 
16 7. WHEREAS, the Massachusetts Legislature, along with the Executive and Judicial 
17Branches of government in the Commonwealth have both an implicit and explicit obligation to 
18protect citizens under the Massachusetts Constitution and its Preamble, from all foreseen 
19dangers; 
20 NOW, THEREFORE, it being established that legalizing the use of marijuana in the 
21Commonwealth by voters was a mistake; it will increase  unwanted criminal and civil wrong-
22doing and as a result will place many innocent citizens, including young children, in imminent 
23danger with regard to medical, health, financial, family, physical, mental and social conditions: 
24 BE IT ENACTED by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court 
25assembled, that the Citizen Referendum Law approving the use of Marijuana in the 
26Commonwealth on November 8, 2016 is HEREBY REPEALED in its entirety.