NORTHAMPTON — The response to Dick Evans at the State House was not warm.
The lawyer had drafted a bill legalizing, regulating, and taxing marijuana, and it was among the topics of a public hearing.
Evans made his case in a short speech. “Antidrug crusader types,” of whom there were many, also had their say, he recalled. Then, a legislator asked those in the big crowd who opposed legalization to make themselves known.
“The building shook,” Evans said, laughing. “They are still talking about the roar that was heard.”
