Marty Walsh Charlie Baker

Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh speaks with the press outside a groundbreaking in South Boston as Governor-elect Charlie Baker looks on.

(Garrett Quinn, MassLive)

BOSTON — Boston Mayor Walsh said he looks forward to teaming up with Gov.-elect Charlie Baker to defeat a likely marijuana legalization initiative in 2016.

"Absolutely," Walsh said when asked if he would work with Baker to defeat marijuana legalization efforts.

On Monday Baker told MassLive.com/The Springfield Republican that he intends to "vigorously oppose" any marijuana legalization efforts as governor.

Baker, like Walsh, thinks the drug is a gateway drug to harder drugs.

"I just think it's a slippery slope. I've spent a lot of time in my career working on issues around substance abuse and marijuana is a gateway drug and I am very clear in my opposition to it," said Walsh while speaking with reporters outside the groundbreaking at One Seaport Square.

Walsh opposed the two most recent ballot campaigns that liberalized marijuana laws in Massachusetts.

In 2008 65 percent of voters approved the Massachusetts Sensible Marijuana Policy Initiative that decriminalized marijuana possession of an ounce of marijuana to a misdemeanor offense with a $100 fine. The ballot initiative at the time was known as Question 2.

In 2012 63 percent of voters passed the Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Initiative that created the framework for medical marijuana dispensaries in the commonwealth. The first four medical marijuana dispensaries were recently approved for Boston, Fairhaven, Taunton and Greenfield.

When pressed on the state approval of the location of a dispensary in Boston Walsh said he was not taking a position on the matter.

"We have a process in place with the Zoning Board of Appeals and Inspectional Services if it goes there or not," said Walsh.