From my State Representative

hope you and your loved ones share a healthy holiday season full of laughter! State Representative 14th Middlesex District

Legislation

This fall I worked with Middlesex District Attorney, Marian Ryan and filed a bill to update state drug laws to include a new synthetic chemical drug that is illegal under federal drug laws but not yet Massachusetts. This bill will include this chemical compound, NBOMe, as a Class B substance, making it illegal to possess or sell. The drug can be similar in appearance to LSD and used as a hallucinogen.  The federal Drug Enforcement Administration has issued an emergency ruling classifying NBOMe as a dangerous drug, but Massachusetts has not yet changed its laws. Without legal authority, Massachusetts state and local police cannot arrest a person for possession or distribution of this drug, nor can the district attorneys prosecute it. After this drug had been found by police in Middlesex County involving teenagers from Concord, Chelmsford, and Westford I believed this demanded a rapid response. I am pleased we were able to file this bill immediately and am hopeful that this bill will pass soon. It is important that we get this bill passed and give our police the resources they need to fight this dangerous substance and keep our communities safe.