As Marijuana Legalization Supporters Rally, Baker Signs Retail Delay Into Law

BOSTON, MA — News broke that the governor had signed a law delaying the opening of marijuana retail in Massachusetts just as a rally against that delay got underway on the State House steps Friday.

Protesters had gathered to ask that Gov. Charlie Baker not sign the six-month postponement of retail sales unceremoniously passed by state legislators this week. As word spread that the deed was already done, protesters' pleas hardened into resolve.

In a notice posted to the Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition's website, the group says the delay "not only flies in the face of the will of the voters who voted for the January 2018 deadline, it shows contempt for the legislature itself."

Update: At almost the same time the rally was scheduled to begin, news broke that Gov. Charlie Baker had signed the legislation into law, delaying marijuana retail openings until Summer of 2018. Read the full story here.

Voters in Massachusetts green lit the green stuff this November in a statewide ballot initiative that legalized marijuana for recreational use and stipulated retail sales should begin no later than January 2018. Legislators this week voted to delay that portion of the new law until July of 2018.

Bearing signs and banners, a small handful of protesters spoke into a Facebook Live feed Friday afternoon, vowing to fight on. Some hoisted posters recycled from the "Yes on 4" ballot initiative they thought had settled this matter in their favor more than a month ago.

Newly scribbled in the corner of one "Yes on 4" poster were three words, "RESPECT THE VOTERS!"

Photo courtesy Joseph Gilmore