Gov Baker Sued Over Closing of Rec Weed Dispensaries
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker is being sued by recreational weed companies over the shutdown.
In an article posted yesterday in the Boston Globe, a lawsuit was filed in Suffolk Superior Court on behalf of five marijuana operators.
The March shutdown only allows essential businesses the ability to keep the doors open. The Governor's office ruled when it came to pot, only medical marijuana dispensaries could remain open and recreational shops had to close.
According to the Boston Globe, the lawsuit suggests that one of the ways the sale of recreational pot could safely and legally be sold to Mass residents is similar to the way restaurants and liquor stores are utilizing advanced ordering with curbside pickup.
The article in the Boston Globe also points out that the current closure of recreational dispensaries causes a hardship to veterans and others that rely on pot for medical reasons.
The Globe referenced Stephen Mandile, an Army veteran who's name also appears on the suit against Governor Baker. The article states that Stephen uses cannabis to treat his serious injuries from the Iraq War. Because the US Government still considers marijuana an illegal drug, Stephen does not want his name in a medical marijuana patient database in fear of losing his federal benefits.
The Globe also points out the belief that the ban on recreational sales will cause users to turn back to the illicit drug market. Another words go ole' school.
Reasoning on the other side of the issue stems from the number of potential customers seeking out the stinky bud at a time that social distancing and large group gathering restrictions are in place. You know how huggable a pot smoker can be.
The Boston Globe paraphrased the Governor as conveying his focus is on handling the expected surge of Covid-19 patients expected to need hospitalization and not reopening recreational dispensaries.
Locally, Canna Provisions in Lee and Temescal Wellness in Pittsfield are among the many recreational shops forced to close affecting many local employees. According to the Boston Globe over 8,000 workers were employed before the coronavirus crisis.
For the full Boston Globe article click here. A Globe subscription may be necessary to read the complete article.
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