BOSTON – Massachusetts voters are expected to head to the polls in November and likely vote on a ballot measure fully legalizing marijuana, four years after they signed off on medical marijuana and eight years after approving decriminalization of small amounts of the substance.

BOSTON – Massachusetts voters are expected to head to the polls in November and likely vote on a ballot measure fully legalizing marijuana, four years after they signed off on medical marijuana and eight years after approving decriminalization of small amounts of the substance.

By every metric available, public opinion appears to favor legalization, and by wider margins with each passing year.

By every metric available, public opinion appears to favor legalization, and by wider margins with each passing year.

Kay Lazar~ The Boston Globe ~

Facility in Salem reports 1,500 patients in 2 months.

Looks like marijuana advocates worried that the new legal pot law wouldn’t start on time can exhale after all.

Looks like marijuana advocates worried that the new legal pot law wouldn’t start on time can exhale after all.

A statewide poll of likely voters shows 50 percent support the November ballot question legalizing marijuana in Massachusetts.

A statewide poll of likely voters shows 50 percent support the November ballot question legalizing marijuana in Massachusetts.

Support for the measure cuts across all demographic categories, with only voters over 55 years old and self-described conservatives opposing the measure.

Support for the measure cuts across all demographic categories, with only voters over 55 years old and self-described conservatives opposing the measure.

BOSTON (AP) — Travel guru Rick Steves is kicking off a tour of Massachusetts in support of a pro-marijuana ballot question.

BOSTON (AP) — Travel guru Rick Steves is kicking off a tour of Massachusetts in support of a pro-marijuana ballot question.

The lawmakers will take the lessons learned there and issue a report with recommendations to the senate president next month.

The lawmakers will take the lessons learned there and issue a report with recommendations to the senate president next month.