TWO FROM GOP BACK MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Seekonk State Rep Candidates Agree on Most Issues

SEEKONK - The two Republican candidates for state representative in
the Seekonk area both said Thursday they support the legalization of
marijuana for medical purposes.

David Saad and Steven Howitt said they have seen family members
suffer with cancer and eye disease, so they support medical
marijuana, which has been legalized in some other states.

"I would not see a problem with medical marijuana," Howitt said
during a debate taped for airing on local cable Channel 9.

He said California and Rhode Island have already adopted the idea.

Saad said after the debate that he had an aunt with cancer and
another with an eye disease who could have benefited from medical
marijuana, although he doubts either would have tried it. He said he
would support the use of the drug to ease suffering, but only with a
doctor's prescription.

The only difference on the issues between the two Republicans is that
Howitt said the state should tax medical marijuana, while Saad said
it should be tax free.

Their comments on the issue were brief. They only had 90 seconds to
respond to a submitted question.

The rest of the debate dealt with a wide variety of issues, ranging
from lowering the sales tax to adopting an illegal immigrant law
similar to the one in Arizona.

Saad and Howitt mostly agreed on the issues, although they parted way
on who would make the strongest opponent to run against state Rep.
Steve D'Amico in the general election.

D'Amico, D-Seekonk, is a two-term incumbent representing Seekonk,
Rehoboth and sections of Norton and Swansea. Howitt said he would be
the best Republican nominee because he has run for state
representative twice before and now as solid name recognition in the district.

He noted other politicians, such as state Sen. James Timilty,
D-Walpole, had to run three times before winning.

Saad said he is better prepared to take on D'Amico because Howitt has
lost twice before, while he has a record of bringing people together.

Saad also said he has the business background needed to help the
state create jobs.

The two Republicans had a mild clash at the end of the debate when
Saad asked Howitt why he paid a family member $9,000 out of his
campaign fund in the last election.

Howitt explained that the money went to his wife, not as a salary,
but as a reimbursement for legitimate campaign expenses, such as mailings.

On the issues, both men said:

They support lowering the state sales tax to 5 percent, but a
referendum question seeking to reduce it to 3 percent may be too
much, too soon.

Oppose Gov. Deval Patrick's decision to join a federal education
reform movement that he said will help hold teachers accountable and
address an achievement gap in schools. Howitt and Saad said they
believe the move will lower state standards.

Believe Massachusetts should adopt a law similar to a controversial
measure in Arizona which requires police to check the immigration
status of people they suspect of being in the United States illegally.

The federal government is suing Arizona on the grounds the law is
unconstitutional.

"Massachusetts should look very carefully at Arizona," Saad said.

"If the federal government won't enforce the laws, the states
should," Howitt agreed.

Voters will decide in the Sept. 14 primary which man will represent
the Republican Party against D'Amico.