Massachusetts governor signs bill delaying pot shop openings
PITTSFIELD, MA (WRGB) -- The Governor of Massachusetts has put the brakes on the state's brand-new legal marijuana market, signing an order today to push back the opening of marijuana shops by six months.
A spokesman for Governor Charlie Baker says the governor agrees with lawmakers that state leaders need to thoroughly prepare for marijuana legalization.
A small group of protesters with the Massachusetts cannabis reform coalition and from the national organization for the reform of marijuana laws protested the bill signing outside the state house in Boston.
CBS6 spoke to residents in Pittsfield, who have mixed opinions on what to do.
"Any kind of marijuana even though it was legalized here, is still against the law federally, not a good thing for young kids," said resident Vince Viscuso.
"I think it's not as big of a deal as people are possibly making it out to be. I understand there are going to be a lot of issues enacting it and to my understanding retail shops were not going to be a thing for a couple of years anyway," resident Dennis Bogaovski said.
The bill signed by Governor Baker Friday means marijuana retail shops won't be opening until the middle of 2018. Folks in Massachusetts are allowed to possess and grow marijuana, they just can't legally buy it anywhere yet.
