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 research makes clear that deregulation will lead to increased health inequities and social harms that will be close to impossible to reverse.”
UPDATE: The Supreme Judicial Court heard arguments on the case on Monday, April 6th. The Court has 130 days to make a decision; we expect to have their answer sometime in June or July. You can listen to audio of the hearing, which took place through teleconference due to COVID-19, here.
Read the Full Press Release Here.
