Local News

Boston police seek charges against one of the state’s most vocal marijuana advocates

Bill Downing’s lawyer says the charges are a retaliation to Downing’s criticism of the state’s regulation of the medical marijuana industry. Matthew J. Lee / The Boston Globe

Boston police have filed a criminal complaint against Bill Downing, one of Massachusetts’ most outspoken supporters of legal marijuana, reports The Boston Globe.

According to a search warrant provided to the Globe, officials allege Downing, 57, of Reading, is “using medical marijuana laws to conceal his illegal activities of distribution of marijuana and its extracted by-products.’’

A judge will decide whether to approve the complaint Tuesday, according to the Globe.

Downing’s lawyer, John Swomley, said the complaint is a retaliation for Downing’s criticism of the state’s regulation of the medical marijuana industry, reports the Globe.

“This is pushback against the marijuana legislation movement,’’ Swomley told the Globe. “They are trying to silence the most vocal supporter of the legalization of marijuana.’’

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Read the full story in the Globe.

State-by-state guide to U.S. marijuana legislation:

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