Notes on the Revenue Committee Hearing
Boston, October 14, 2009 On October 14, 2009, the Joint Committee on Revenue in the Massahusetts legislature held a public hearing on H2929, An Act to Regulate and Tax the Cannabis Industry. Since this bill reached the comiittee by right of citizen peition, and does not enjoy the sponsorship of any legislator, the most that supporters could expect is a resepectful hearing, and they got it. The committee was attentive to all speakers, and asked good questions. Speakers were varied, informative and inspiring, espcially the young people, some of whom were impelled there by principle and had the courage to stand against prevailing doctrine on this subject. The room was full, standing room only!.I'd guess around 125 people. Not everyone, but nearly, was there in support of our bill. Only one person spoke in opposition, a long-time anti-drug crusader from Worcester, whose testimony was predictable. In my opinion the occasion was significant, in that it represented the first-ever exchange between an elected legislator and a legalization advocate in a serious and sober legislative proceeding, with no jokes, no cheap puns, no snickers. Testifying when the first question was asked was Keith Stroup, the founder of NORML . That was a serindipitous accident of history. If anybody deserved to get the first-ever question in what we hope will be a rapidly unfolding debate, it is Keith! Big thanks are due Dr. Lester Grinspoon, Keith Stroup, Steve Epstein, Mike Cutler, Jack Cole, Bill Downing and ALL who spoke so eloquently and forcefully in condemnation of prohibition and support for its repeal and replacement with a system of regulation and taxation. Thanks to everyone who attended, and helped fill the room! Your presence required the committee to listen to what was being said. I know a number of people took time off work and made other sacrifices to attend. Your presence gave the speakers strength, depth and authenticity. Thanks to Adam Hurter, Chad Curll, Brian Bergeron, Eric Stevens and other who spread word of the event around the internet Thanks to MassCann, DRCNet, NORML, LEAP and other groups and networks that spread the word.. Thanks to the State House News Service, which wrote a fair, factual story which ran in the Boston Herald and other papers. A good story also appeared in The Daily Free Press at Boston University, containing some great quotes from Chairman Kaufman. Thanks to Mike Cann and Mass Cann for getting video of the event up right away. What I had to say is here in post-video, .and here in writing. Here's video of Dr. Grinspoon, Steve Epstein, and some of the fine young people who testified so impressively. And here's Keith Stoup's very comprehensive written testimony. Here's Jack Cole from LEAP. Thanks to the Revenue Committee and their staff for treating us respectfully and courteously. --Dick |