Talks To Resume As Lawmakers Seek Pot Bill Compromise

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BOSTON (CBS/AP) — House and Senate negotiators on Beacon hill are planning to resume talks they hope will lead to a compromise on a marijuana bill.

The six-member conference committee missed last Friday's self-imposed deadline, but was scheduled to resume talks at the Statehouse on Wednesday.

The negotiations are taking place behind closed doors and there has been no official word on what might be standing in the way of an agreement.

More: Keller @ Large: Time To Reach Reasonable Compromise On Marijuana Rollout

The House voted to repeal the recreational marijuana law approved by Massachusetts voters last fall and replace it with a bill that calls for sharply higher taxes on legal pot sales and more control for local officials over marijuana stores in their communities.

Will Luzzier of the Yes On 4 committee, which sponsored the marijuana ballot question, told WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Lana Jones that there's still time for a law to be crafted before the voter-approved measure begins to kick in, despite the missed deadline.

He said the state has until August 1 to name an advisory committee, and until September 1 to name a Cannabis Control Commission.

"There absolutely is [still time], but it's also assumed that it's going to take a while to get this regulatory body up and running, and we are hopeful that they are not eating into that time that's going to be necessary to get the regulatory commission in place," Luzzier said.

The Senate passed a bill that keeps the current law with a number of proposed changes.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Lana Jones reports

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