MA lawmakers set hearings over new rec cannabis law

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A legislative battle over recreational marijuana could be on the way in Boston, with public hearings poised to begin.

State lawmakers are set on holding hearings, starting next week, to address possible tweaks to the recreational cannabis law approved by Massachusetts voters in November, a move that marijuana advocates are calling a “false narrative,” according to the Associated Press.

“The new law requires no legislative fixes,” Jim Borghesani, a spokesman for the state’s rec campaign, told the AP.

Regardless, Massachusetts state lawmakers indicated they may try to make changes to the new law. They are permitted to do so because the ballot initiative legalizing recreational marijuana changed state statute instead of putting adult use into the state constitution.

By contrast, Colorado voters approved a constitutional amendment allowing rec use, thereby ensuring that state lawmakers can’t easily amend the law.