Why?

WHY are recreational pot shops here in Massachusetts closed when liquor stores are open? This make ZERO goddamn sense! Why is booze considered essential but weed is not?

There are 11 states now where marijuana’s fully legal. In nine of these states both sides of the pot shop are open for biz. I figured all the states where shops are open during this Trump Plague shutdown, must have Dem guvs and vice versa. Nope. Maine’s are shut and Governor Mills is one of us. Alaska’s emporiums are open and Governor Dunleavy’s a Republi/Fascist. Weird.

I only mention it BUT not all of the folks who partake of the herb do so just for shits and giggles. SOME of us are medicinal type users who’ve just never gotten a ‘script from our PCPs (fer instance *cough* moi).

There’s a group – Massachusetts Safe & Open Dispensaries – whose website has a pre-written email to our R/F Governor Baker (plus two reps) that sez:

I am writing to urge you to classify adult use cannabis dispensaries as “essential businesses” for the duration of the stay at home advisory.

I believe the stores can be opened by establishing reasonable and responsible restrictions like 1) Limiting sales ONLY to Massachusetts residents; 2) Requiring pre-orders over the Internet and 3) Allowing curbside pickup. These three responsible rules will serve everyone - customers, workers and the public.

Many customers of adult use cannabis utilize the products for relief but choose not to be on a state medical registry - including veterans, seniors and parents suffering from pain, anxiety, or the effects of medical problems. The fact they do so does not make them bad people, it makes them human.

Most other states with legalization have taken this step, and for good reasons. Allowing liquor stores to stay open while cannabis users are encouraged to seek products in the unregulated market is dangerous, and will work against efforts to encourage social distancing. If a local package store, hardware store, dry cleaner, or pizza restaurant can stay open while safeguarding the public health, so can cannabis dispensaries.

I ask that Governor Baker and the Legislature work together to ensure Massachusetts joins the other states with responsible policies during this time to reasonably categorize cannabis businesses as essential to the citizens.

I signed and sent. If you live in Massachusetts, please consider doing so as well.

Thank you…and shit!