Lawmakers skeptical about rolling back recreational marijuana law

22 News Statehouse reporter Olivia Ray has a look at a hearing on a potential question that would repeal marijuana legalization Recreational marijuana was legalized in the Bay State in 2016 ten years later a potential ballot question looks to undo Legalization, but lawmakers are skeptical Bay State lawmakers formed a special committee to consider potential ballot questions Including a question that would repeal recreational marijuana legalization increase penalties for marijuana possession and force retail marijuana stores to either become medical dispensaries or sell their supply Supporters of the ballot question say marijuana usage in Massachusetts has gotten out of hand Massachusetts isn't as comfortable a place to live in we walk across the common and Smell weed I drive down 93 the car in front of me is a hotbox. It's everywhere. It's pervasive They also argue that we do not have enough information on how marijuana use impacts public health the questions opponents and many lawmakers at the hearing say Delegalizing recreational marijuana will result in a black market Massachusetts voters chose a regulated system over prohibition That system protects consumers creates jobs and holds businesses accountable Lawmakers pointed out that the marijuana industry beyond generating revenue for local businesses has brought in 1.9 billion dollars to state and local governments over the last decade if the legislature chooses not to act before May 5th Delegalization supporters will need to gather just under twelve thousand five hundred additional signatures in order to officially get the question on the November ballot Working for you from the Statehouse in Boston. I'm Olivia Ray 22 news