Charlie Baker in Marijuana Policy Project

On Drugs: Opposed legalizing marijuana, but implemented it once passed

Statement from campaign manager for the 2016 Yes on 1 campaign: "In 2014, the governor said he would implement a legalization law if approved by voters, but he has failed to uphold that commitment. In Massachusetts, Republican Gov. Charlie Baker campaigned against the marijuana legalization initiative last year. However, he respected the outcome and moved forward with implementation of the law. Seven other states have passed legalization initiatives over the past five years, and none have seen this type of obstructionism from their governors."

On Drugs: Legal marijuana sales in Massachusetts by 2020

This legislative outcome means that by January 2020, Massachusetts will be the only state in the country where all bans on adult-use marijuana businesses will require approval by local voters.

The compromise bill's most significant changes relate to local control and taxes. The legislation adjusts the local control policy, allowing local government officials in towns that voted "no" on the 2016 ballot initiative to ban marijuana businesses until December 2019. For towns that voted "yes" in 2016, any bans must be placed on a local ballot for voters to approve. The maximum sales tax rate (which depends on whether towns adopt optional local taxes) will increase from 12% to 20%. Under the bill, the state tax will be 17% and the local option will be 3%.