Worcester Business Journal

8 Worcester Business Journal | November 21, 2016 | wbjournal.com Marijuana may soon be legal in Massachusetts, but industry officials warn of regulatory & local fights before the Green Rush hits the Bay State Share in our mission of charity. Donate online: ccworcester.org For 50 years, hundreds of volunteers have delivered meals to thousands of shut-ins and families on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, and hundreds of people in need of a place to go share a common meal. Dinner Presenting Sponsors St. Francis Community Health Care Foundation, The Protector Group Foundation, Bay State Savings Bank, J.H. Lynch & Sons Media Partners Worcester Business Journal, Worcester Magazine, Charter TV3 A simple act of charity is good for the heart. $13 feeds an individual. $33 feeds a family. 365 days a year, Catholic Charities serves needs of people of all faiths throughout Worcester County through 30 programs in 9 locations. Battle: Cannabis T he wave of Election Day victo- ries had pot entrepreneurs see- ing good times ahead as they gathered in Las Vegas last week for the national Marijuana Business Convention & Expo. The allure of rich markets in Massachusetts and California are intoxicating. But international canna- bis expert, blogger and speaker Jeffrey Friedland saw through the marijuana haze and quite presciently into its legalized future. "It's not time to break out the champagne yet," he cau- tioned, pointing to problems ranging from federal banking rules to local zon- ing fights. The margin – 54-46 percent in the commonwealth – reflects significant opposition remains. The margin was smaller in Maine, larger in California and Nevada. Arizona voters rejected a ballot measure there. And the 800-pound regulatory goril- la – the federal government – is still firmly opposed, although President- elect Donald Trump has promised to reverse that stand. The reality of legal marijuana Is the way forward as simple as look- ing to the first legal states – Alaska, Colorado, Oregon and Washington state – or will each state face unique circumstances and opportunities mov- ing forward? The answer is a little of both, said Friedland, whose perspective is tempered by his experience as a former dispen- sary owner in Colorado. "So we now have recreation- al marijuana; now let's get down to the realities. The short answer is it's complicat- ed," said Friedland, who spoke at the convention. "In Colorado, it took a long time for the states to come up with reg- ulations and requirements. "I don't want to pop anybody's bal- loon, but don't wait in line yet to buy marijuana. Each state is going to be dif- ferent. It's all about the regulations themselves and how supportive the government and regulators are. Then the ability to find locations based on zoning for business use comes down to city councils. The villages decide." Friedland calls it the "soccer mom issue." That's when residents in locales don't want a marijuana store in their neighborhood despite its legality. He explained the "reefer madness" stigma is deeply entrenched in many people in the United States, where it's still a feder- al crime to possess or sell cannabis. "Time will tell how the laws and regu- lations get implemented and how friendly the police and government are to the plant," said Friedland, author of "Marijuana: The World's Most Misunderstood Plant." "In Boston, they might be favorable to the implementation – and that could even change within neighborhoods there – but you go west in Massachusetts, and you might get into more unfavorable areas, but you just don't know," he said. Central Mass local opposition While Question 4 passed in Worcester by about 6,200 votes, the city's suburban neighbors disagreed. BY JOHN R. KELLY Special to the Worcester Business Journal Under the new Massachusetts law, people 21 and over can purchase, possess and use up to 1 ounce of marijuana, possess 10 ounces securely stored at home and grow six cannabis plants. Jeff Friedland P H O T O / W B J F I L E

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