HYANNIS – A nationally known marijuana expert spoke on the effects that the legalization of the drug will have on Massachusetts during an event at The Cape Codder Resort in Hyannis Wednesday night.
Dr. Kevin Sabet is also a former advisor to three U.S. Presidential administrations and is the Director of the Drug Policy Institute at the University of Florida.
He said that the legalization of marijuana will not have a positive effect on the state.
“The legalization is not about adults’ ability or right to use marijuana, it is about a massive new industry that wants to get rich just like the tobacco industry did for 80 years,” said Sabet.
Sabet argued that special interest groups are responsible for pushing marijuana legislation throughout the country.
2nd Barnstable State Representative Will Crocker attended the event and said that he is concerned about how young children will be affected by the legalization of marijuana.
He pointed to the development of colorful edibles like drinks and candy that confuses the younger generation.
“Young kids don’t understand the difference with what might be laced with cannabis and what is not laced with cannabis, they see something that they like and they’re going to eat it,” said Crocker.
Gosnold President and CEO Richard Curcuru acknowledged that it was important to have an event that focuses on an issue many are discussing in the state.
“It’s significant legislation and we think Massachusetts is going to challenged by the fact that this is now legal,” said Curcuru.
Gosnold hosted the speech as part of their continuing Charlie Wilkerson Memorial Lecture Series.
By JUSTIN SAUNDERS, CapeCod.com Newscenter
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