Cannabis activists reacted with dismay Friday to lawmakers’ decision to shoot down legislation that would regulate cannabis, saying it was a self-defeating political move.
Longtime advocates said opposition lawmakers missed the opportunity to put needed regulations in place by voting down the Cannabis Act on Wednesday. They believe it was a disingenuous display to score points ahead of next year’s elections that belied their own ties to the budding industry.
“It’s idiotic,” said Arun Avery, cofounder of pro-cannabis advocacy group Highland Network. “Both parties [which opposed the bill], Democrat and Pheu Thai, we know their relatives, even their children are invested in the cannabis business. And they know damn well this is where the money is.”
Members of both parties said the bill did not go far enough to rein in recreational smoking, which was made…
