
I know. Swoon.
Last month, I wrote a story about State Representative Matthew Baker’s financial connections to the pharmaceutical industry. In the article, I pointed out that the Health Committee Chair received $22,800 from Big Pharma and some of his largest donors included Astra Zeneca, the American Society of Anesthesiologists and Pfizer.
In an email I obtained, Baker stated “this borders on being slanderous and or libelous for which I will have my legal counsel review,” and Baker went to say “I have never even discussed the issue of marijuana with Big Pharma to my recollection. I based my decisions on health issues based upon sound medical and scientific research.” It’s possible that Baker was probably blowing smoke because the representative threatened Keystone Progress with a lawsuit in 2011 after they exposed his ties to the American Legislative Exchange Council.
In the meantime, I will be working on another story about Representative Baker’s attempt to stonewall medical marijuana legislation.