Governor, Boston Mayor Kick Off Campaign Against Marijuana Legalization

Two political sides came together Friday to oppose a ballot question that seeks to legalize recreational marijuana in the state of Massachusetts, with top state leaders from across the political spectrum and branches of government joining together.

A kickoff press conference for the "Campaign for a Safe and Healthy Massachusetts" was held Friday, two days after a ballot initiative to legalize the drug submitted sufficient signatures to make it onto this November's ballot.

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The choice of venue for Friday's press conference, at the William J. Ostiguy Recovery High School in Boston, underscores the crux of the group's opposition: that legal, recreational marijuana could serve as a gateway to drug abuse and addiction for young people.

"This question is a reminder of calls from parents who are terrified of what is happening to their teenage child who is using marijuana," Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said, pointing to his own experience as a recovering alcoholic.

He warned against the potential appeal to and danger for children posed by candy- and pastry-like marijuana edibles.

Walsh, a Democrat, was joined by Republican Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins.

The recovery school as backdrop drives home the context of Massachusetts' ongoing opioid abuse crisis, which opponents fear would only be exacerbated by marijuana legalization.

"As our work to bend the trend on the opioid epidemic is just beginning, the last thing we need is to add yet another challenge for our young people and our addiction community," Baker said. "I'm honored to be part of a broad-based and bipartisan coalition that will make sure voters understand the honest and practical implications of this proposal."

DeLeo added to the message, "At a time when we are dealing with an addiction crisis, it is reckless and unwise to increase access to another drug that we know is harmful to our kids and families."

The state in 2008 decriminalized marijuana possession and - at the urging of a previous ballot initiative - legalized medicinal use of the drug - a process that is still slowly rolling out.

Because of those two steps already in place, the Campaign for a Safe and Healthy Massachusetts argues, "This proposed law is written by and for the Marijuana Industry."

The Massachusetts Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, meanwhile, argues that regulating and taxing the marijuana industry will dismantle illegal underground sales, creating safer communities; will boost the state tax rolls and local economy; and introduces common-sense regulations for marijuana that echo those already in place for alcohol.

>> Photo via safehealthyma Twitter