Contact: Kate Connors
781-434-7099
kconnors@mms.org
James S. Gessner, MD, President of the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS), released the following statement:
“Today’s vote to delay the opening of recreational marijuana stores in Massachusetts will provide state policymakers and regulators with an opportunity to take important measures to help safeguard the public health. The MMS will continue to work with officials to advocate for implementation of legal recreational marijuana that helps to prevent youth access, prevents impaired driving, sets safety and quality standards, promotes education about the health effects of marijuana, and directs adequate funding for health and public health interventions related to marijuana. We remain very concerned regarding the short- and long-term consequences of recreational marijuana use, but are hopeful that the delay in implementation may help to mitigate some of those concerns, especially when it comes to the health and wellness of our youth. We urge Governor Baker to sign this important legislation into law.”
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