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MARK CUSACK Chairman

REPRESENTATIVE Committee on Marijuana Policy

5TH NORFOLK DISTRICT
ROOM 544
TEL (617) 722?2637

\1ark.Cusack@MAhouse.gov

April 3, 2017

Secretary Kristen Lepore

Executive Of?ce of Administration Finance
State House
Boston, MA 02133

Dear Secretary Lepore,

As you are aware, the House of Representatives and the State Senate created the Joint Committee
on Marijuana Policy earlier this year. The charge of this new Committee is to evaluate the voter passed
legalization of marijuana and how to establish a safe and regulated recreational marijuana market here in
Massachusetts.

Arguably, the biggest recommendation made by the committee will be the structure of the
recreational marijuana regulatory authority and how it operates. The current law creates the Cannabis
Control Commission under the sole authority of the Treasurer and Receiver General of the
Commonwealth. As we continue with our committee process, we will be working to determine if the

is the best option to oversee recreational marijuana or if a new regulatory structure, such as an
independent commission, will work best for this new industry and the residents of the Commonwealth.

In that vein and in being ?scally responsible, I respectfully ask that the $300,000 currently in
reserve be held until the committee makes our recommendation. Our timeline is to have a bill on
Governor Baker?s desk in time for the start of Fiscal Year 2018; giving theregulatory authority ayear to

get up and running and to establish the regulations for this new market. While some may be worried

about such timelines, getting the regulatory structure right is and will continue to be more important.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

All my best,

Mark J. Cusac
Chairman
Cc: Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg
Speaker Robert A. DeLeo

Senate President Stanley C. Rosenberg

Chairman Brian S. Dempsey
Chairwoman Karen E. Spilka
Chairwoman Patricia D. Jehlen