HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3148        FILED ON: 1/20/2017

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3200

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

John C. Velis

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act establishing a commission to study the impact of marijuana legalization on public safety and the well-being of children in the Commonwealth.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3148        FILED ON: 1/20/2017

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3200

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninetieth General Court
(2017-2018)

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An Act establishing a commission to study the impact of marijuana legalization on public safety and the well-being of children in the Commonwealth.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. The Massachusetts House of Representatives shall, with the assistance of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety, initiate a committee to study and recommend the revision of the codes, statutes, and criminal laws that pertain to the use of marijuana here in the Commonwealth.

(a)It shall begin such a study by creating a commission studying the effects of marijuana legalization on public safety and the well-being of children.

(i)Said Commission shall have five members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives;

(ii)Said commission shall have three justices, retired, who have presided in criminal proceedings in either the District, Superior, or Appeals Court here in the Commonwealth; 

(iii)Said Commission shall have of a representative of the Massachusetts District Attorney's Association;

(iv)Said Commission shall have a representative from the Massachusetts Bar Association;

(v)Said Commission shall have a representative from the National Cannabis Bar Association who has been admitted to the Massachusetts Bar;

(vi)Said Commission shall have a representative of the Executive Office of Public Safety, and

(vii)Said Commission shall also have the appointment of two professors of criminal law, who teach at any of the accredited law schools here in the Commonwealth.

(b)The purpose of said commission is to provide the Massachusetts General Court a report as to how to proceed in the revision of criminal laws and penalties associated with the legalization of Marijuana here in the Commonwealth.

(c)The commission will specifically study

(i)The effects of marijuana on operating a motor vehicle or heavy machinery;

(ii)The effects of accidentally ingesting, inhaling or otherwise being exposed to marijuana on children aged 12 years and younger; and

(iii)Any other effects of marijuana on public safety and the well-being of children in the Commonwealth.

(d)Said commission shall file their report with the House Clerk, as well as to the House Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, on any findings and recommendations to the implementation and revision of criminal laws pertaining to the use of Marijuana here in the Commonwealth.  Furthermore, the commission shall submit any necessary draft of legislation to carry out the recommendations into effect by filing the same with the House Clerk by December 31st, 2017.