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MAPA is disappointed to learn that the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled against us in the challenge to Initiative 19-14: Cumberland Farms’ effort to deregulate alcohol by having voters authorize convenience store beer and wine licenses, as well as unlimited package store licenses by a single entity in Massachusetts. What Does the Ruling Mean? With this ruling, the ballot initiative will be allowed to go forward in November, and voters will be deciding whether to deregulate alcohol retail and outlet density in the state. Because retail marijuana licenses are tied into alcohol retail licenses, this ballot initiative has the potential to deregulate recreational marijuana, as well. Attorney John Scheft of Bellotti Law Group, who represented our case, accurately explains:  “We know that the odds were slim that the SJC would rule in our favor on this matter. The constitutional framework behind these voter petitions results in minimal substantive review of the real costs of these ‘popular campaigns,’ which, increasingly in the modern age, are corporate-driven exercises that benefit from a deliberately uninformed electorate. The term ‘uninformed’ isn’t a criticism. Many of these proposed laws--including this one--take trained lawyers multiple readings to understand. Voters can hardly be expected to [...]

The addiction prevention community holds onto hope that in the post-covid world, lessons learned about public health will lead to needed and urgent policy action to reduce and prevent addiction. Read the op-ed here.

The Revere Journal recently covered MAPA’s efforts to stop the proposed ballot question that would deregulate alcohol licensing in Massachusetts. Click here to read the article. Read the Details of the Brief Here. Access the Full Legal Brief Here.

It’s a pivotal moment for organizations like MAPA, whose goal is to protect children, families and communities from drug use and addiction. As giant addiction for-profit industries push for deregulation, we must remain unified and increase our commitment to the science-based, environmental prevention strategies that research has made clear are the single most influential measure in reducing population-level alcohol, tobacco and other drug problems. Why Environmental Prevention? “Environmental prevention addresses the environmental factors (physical environment and community norms) that support the use of alcohol and other drugs,” says a report from the Community Prevention Initiative (CPI). “Environmental prevention brings a specific community focus to prevention, which can complement individual strategies. While individual prevention strategies focus on behavior change, environmental prevention engages a public health approach to impact substance use on a larger scale by limiting access to substances, changing public laws, policies, and practices, and changing social norms that contribute to substance use.” Environmental prevention strategies are proven to be effective in reducing drug and alcohol abuse within communities. And substance misuse is a community problem. Aside from the moral imperative to reduce it, substance use disorder has a tremendous economic cost--to the tune of $442 billion a [...]

As concerns about coronavirus grip the nation, there’s been a particular emphasis on protecting the elderly and those with underlying conditions that may worsen its effects and outcomes. But as new data comes in, it is becoming clear that COVID-19 is also more deadly for those who smoke or vape tobacco or marijuana, and that a substance use disorder (SUD) puts an individual at heightened risk for the coronavirus. Science to support this as a potential public health issue is emerging. As a contagious illness, COVID-19 is likely to be a long-lasting health concern for our communities, and due to the increased risk to those who vape, smoke or have an SUD, protecting our youth and families from the adverse effects of alcohol and drug use must be a part of the community response to the pandemic. For this reason, MAPA’s work preventing youth drug use and addiction--including education on SUDs and COVID-19 outcomes-- is more important than ever. Compromised lung function or lung disease may worsen outcomes Coronavirus attacks the lungs, and those with underlying issues such as diabetes, cancer and respiratory conditions are considered at higher risk for death and serious illness.  “It would be reasonable [...]

On Saturday September 28th, 2019, MAPA advocates participated in a Peace March in Lowell, MA to protest recreational pot shops.  Coordinated by the community's faith-based network, several congregations and hundreds of Lowell residents joined together to march up the city's main street chanting: "Lowell does not need weed to succeed”. The multi-racial, multi-faith crowd held up signs promoting messages like: “Save Our Kids", "Save Our City”, and "War on Addiction". A number of advocates spoke to the masses from the steps of Lowell City Hall, including one mother whose 15-year old child had recently experienced a life-threatening seizure due to dabbing marijuana. Other critical issues addressed included marijuana-related psychosis and suicide, deaths of young people from vaping, and the need for Lowell to be drug-free. At least one City Councilor was in attendance. Although a press release was sent out, not one media outlet, including the Lowell Sun, covered the event. Lowell is the fourth largest city in Massachusetts and lies 30 miles north of Boston. Currently, the city has one medical marijuana shop that was approved for selling recreational marijuana in March 2019. A maximum of five recreational pot dispensaries are allowed to open in [...]

MAPA, along with the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts, has announced the filing of a brief asking the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court to stop Cumberland Farms’ proposed ballot initiative to lift the cap on alcohol licensing in Massachusetts. Attorney John Scheft crafted the compelling public health argument to be considered by the court. Research shows that deregulating alcohol licensing will have a grave impact on communities’ health, not only through the increase in alcohol outlet density but also through the perhaps unintended consequence of expanding local recreational marijuana licenses, which are tied to alcohol licensing in the Commonwealth. “Our sole concern is the potential impact on the health of our families and communities,” said Heidi Heilman, president of MAPA. “Limits on the number of licenses for retail sales is the cornerstone of our measured, balanced approach to alcohol regulation. It’s arguably the most critical public health standard of our alcohol system, is the template upon which our adult use marijuana law is based, and is strongly supported by the World Health Organization, United States Surgeon General and Centers for Disease Control. Alcohol is addictive and harmful when misused, and death due to alcohol poisoning is pervasive and preventable. The [...]

Recently, WBUR RadioBoston Host Chris Citorik spoke on-air with Dr. Nicholas Chadi, one of over three dozen Mass. doctors and researchers warning that the state could be headed toward a public health crisis because of the state's policy around recreational marijuana. You can listen to the audio of the show here: (Link to this show on WBUR's Website.)

BOSTON – A consortium of clinicians and scientists from across Massachusetts has joined together to publicly release a “Statement of Concern” expressing their disagreement with how marijuana public policy is being shaped in the Commonwealth.

The Massachusetts Addiction Prevention Alliance (MAPA) is pleased to announce that it is sponsoring a luncheon event, "Marijuana: Addiction, Mental Health and Policy" on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. The event will take place at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum (Columbia Point, Boston) from 12pm – 2pm (Registration Opens 11:30am).