Mass.: UPDATE on hearing for anti-Question 2 bills

Yesterday, we informed you that several bills seeking to undermine the new marijuana possession law or otherwise increase marijuana penalties had been scheduled for a hearing before the Joint Committee on the Judiciary this coming Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. We recently learned that the hearings are now scheduled to begin at noon. Sign-in sheets will be made available for those wishing to testify at 10:30 a.m. and hearings are scheduled to run until 6:00 p.m., at which time the committee will open the hearing up to all matters.

If you have not already, please send your lawmakers an e-mail asking them to oppose all attempts to increase the penalties associated with marijuana, then follow up with a call.

We are not sure when the marijuana-related bills will be called, so you should plan on showing up early and staying late. There is a possibility that an executive session and vote will be held at the end of the day. If you are unable to stay for the entire hearing, but wish to testify, the committee will be accepting written testimony throughout the day.

If you are able to attend the hearing, please remember to dress professionally and treat everyone involved in the process with respect. If you wish to testify or submit written testimony and would like some help, please send an e-mail to Matt Allen, deputy director of the New England Policy Advocates, at mattjallen@mac.com.

Thank you for helping oppose bills that run contrary to what Massachusetts voters want. With your help we can put a stop to this draconian legislation before it has a chance to harm more Bay Staters. Please forward this alert to others so they too can take action.