Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Holyoke - The City Council Monday defeated a resolution that had called for opposition to a question that Massachusetts voters will decide on the Election Day ballot Tuesday on whether to legalize marijuana for recreational use.
The council voted 7-6 against adopting the resolution.
The vote occurred despite the council's Public Safety Committee recommending that the full City Council adopt the resolution in opposition to the ballot question on legalizing marijuana for recreational use.
Council President Kevin A. Jourdain submitted the resolution against the ballot referendum, which is Question 4.
Jourdain argued that passage of the question would benefit the commercial marijuana industry and run counter to the positions of a list that includes Gov. Charlie Baker, state Attorney General Maura Healey, all of the state's district attorneys and sheriffs and doctors and nurses groups.
But the council defeated the resolution, and then councilors disagreed exactly what that vote meant.
Councilor at Large James M. Leahy and Jourdain said such a vote signals that the council supports Question 4.
Councilor at Large Rebecca Lisi disagreed and said the council vote was only against the resolution, not an endorsement one way or another on Question 4.
Ward 4 Councilor Jossie M. Valentin said the vote meant the council was neutral on Question 4 as elected officials and would vote on the ballot question as individuals on Election Day.
Voting against the resolution were councilors Joseph M. McGiverin, Todd A. McGee, Michael J. Sullivan, Peter R. Tallman, Gladys Lebron-Martinez, Lisi and Valentin.
Voting in favor of the resolution were councilors Diosdado Lopez, Linda L. Vacon, David K. Bartley, Daniel B. Bresnahan, Jourdain and Leahy.
Councilors Nelson R. Roman and Howard B. Greaney Jr. were absent.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Holyoke Council Opposes Resolution Regarding Question 4 On Marijuana Legalization
Author: Mike Plaisance
Contact: MassLive
Photo Credit: Mike Plaisance
Website: MassLive
The council voted 7-6 against adopting the resolution.
The vote occurred despite the council's Public Safety Committee recommending that the full City Council adopt the resolution in opposition to the ballot question on legalizing marijuana for recreational use.
Council President Kevin A. Jourdain submitted the resolution against the ballot referendum, which is Question 4.
Jourdain argued that passage of the question would benefit the commercial marijuana industry and run counter to the positions of a list that includes Gov. Charlie Baker, state Attorney General Maura Healey, all of the state's district attorneys and sheriffs and doctors and nurses groups.
But the council defeated the resolution, and then councilors disagreed exactly what that vote meant.
Councilor at Large James M. Leahy and Jourdain said such a vote signals that the council supports Question 4.
Councilor at Large Rebecca Lisi disagreed and said the council vote was only against the resolution, not an endorsement one way or another on Question 4.
Ward 4 Councilor Jossie M. Valentin said the vote meant the council was neutral on Question 4 as elected officials and would vote on the ballot question as individuals on Election Day.
Voting against the resolution were councilors Joseph M. McGiverin, Todd A. McGee, Michael J. Sullivan, Peter R. Tallman, Gladys Lebron-Martinez, Lisi and Valentin.
Voting in favor of the resolution were councilors Diosdado Lopez, Linda L. Vacon, David K. Bartley, Daniel B. Bresnahan, Jourdain and Leahy.
Councilors Nelson R. Roman and Howard B. Greaney Jr. were absent.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Holyoke Council Opposes Resolution Regarding Question 4 On Marijuana Legalization
Author: Mike Plaisance
Contact: MassLive
Photo Credit: Mike Plaisance
Website: MassLive
