MASSACHUSETTS: GOP Governor Signs Recreational Marijuana Bill Into Law, Sales To Begin June 2018

The Boston Herald reports:

Gov. Charlie Baker today signed a bill that reshapes the state’s marijuana legalization law, kick-starting an 11-month sprint until pot shops can legally open statewide — during which officials will have to build an entire bureaucracy from the ground up.

Flanked by lawmakers key to crafting the legislation, Baker signed into law several changes to the ballot measure voters passed last November, including hiking the tax rate on sales from 12 percent to 20 percent. The state’s top leaders will now have to make several decisions, and quickly.

First and foremost, Baker, Treasurer Deb Goldberg and Attorney General Maura Healey have to appoint members to a voluntary advisory board by Tuesday. They also have to appoint members of a highly paid five-person commission tasked with overseeing what’s expected to grow into a billion-dollar industry in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker signs legislation to reshape the state’s marijuana legalization law – #Mapoli https://t.co/gz1F9rr4qV pic.twitter.com/uzcrri80gl

— Boston Herald (@bostonherald) July 28, 2017