Expert panelists to discuss Massachusetts ballot question to legalize recreational marijuana

BOSTON – On Wednesday, September 21st at 7 p.m. the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, in partnership with WGBH, will host a panel discussion on the ballot question that, if approved, would make Massachusetts the latest state to legalize marijuana for recreational use. State Representative Jonathan Hecht will provide welcome remarks, discussing his work with the Massachusetts Citizens’ Initiative Review Pilot Project. Jim Braude of WGBH’s Greater Boston will moderate.

This is the first in a series of two Citizens’ Choice discussions the Institute and WGBH are partnering on to provide in-depth conversations on the ballot questions Massachusetts voters will be considering in the upcoming election. The second Citizens’ Choice discussion on October 27th will convene experts to discuss the Massachusetts ballot question to raise the cap on charter schools.

WHAT: A Citizens’ Choice panel discussion on Massachusetts ballot Question 4, the Massachusetts Marijuana Legalization Initiative

Panelists to Include: Andrew Freedman, Director of Marijuana Coordination, Colorado Dr. Kevin Hill, Addiction Psychiatrist, Clinical Researcher, Author of Marijuana: The Unbiased Truth about the World’s Most Popular Weed The Honorable Jason Lewis, State Senator and Chairman of Senate Special Committee on Marijuana Madeline Martinez, Director Emeritus of Oregon NORML, Co-Founder of NORML Woman’s Alliance, and Owner of World Famous Cannabis Café Dr. Kevin Sabet, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Drug Policy Institute at the University of Florida, Co-Founder of Project SAM (Smart Approaches to Marijuana)

Moderated by Jim Braude, Host of WGBH-TV’s Greater Boston, and co-host of Boston Public Radio on 89.7 WGBH-FM Opening remarks by State Representative Jonathan Hecht

WHEN: Wednesday, September 21, 2016 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. EST

WHERE: Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate Columbia Point – Boston, MA 02125

RSVP to press@emkinstitute.org

About the Edward M. Kennedy Institute The Institute is dedicated to educating the public about the important role of the Senate in our government, encouraging participatory democracy, invigorating civil discourse, and inspiring the next generation of citizens and leaders to engage in the civic lives of their communities. To learn more about the Institute, please visit emkinstitute.org.

About WGBH WGBH enriches people’s lives through programs and services that educate, inspire, and entertain, fostering citizenship and culture, the joy of learning, and the power of diverse perspectives. To learn more about WGBH, please visit WGBH.org.