cannabisnews.com: Stoners Find Almost $25 Million: Offer To Romney Stoners Find Almost $25 Million: Offer To Romney Posted by CN Staff on March 07, 2003 at 19:25:30 PT By Matthew Dolimpio Source: Boston Weekly Dig You might be surprised to find out that, at this moment, five bills regarding the decriminalization of marijuana sit in committee before the Massachusetts legislature. Enforcing current state prohibitions on marijuana costs Massachusetts nearly $25 million a year, according to MassCann, a statewide organization committed to decriminalizing marijuana. Unfortunately, despite support from law enforcement, legislators, and academic research, the state’s current budget crisis and positive outcomes in other states that have decriminalized pot, no one in either the legislature or MassCann, the organization that proposed the bills, thinks decriminalization stands much chance of passing. Steven Epstein, co-founder and treasurer of MassCann wrote the bills, S.1119 and S.207 in the Senate, and H.1061, H.1062 and H.2392 in the House. While the bills differ in regards to specifics, they universally declare that possession of less than one ounce of marijuana be punishable by a civil fine and nothing more. In S.1119, H.1061 and H.1062, the fine would be not more than $500 and not less than $100 for the first offense, and not more than $1,000 nor less than $200 for the second. S.207 and its house partner, H.2392, go a step farther in that they prevent the police from having the power to arrest anyone possessing less than an ounce of marijuana. H.1062 varies only slightly from H.1061 in that it provides specific direction for the disposition of collected fines. There are also two bills pending regarding the use of Medical Marijuana, S.676 and a House partner, yet to be numbered.While bills have been proposed in the past, there has never been as much positive support and momentum for the subject in the statehouse. With the state budget crisis looming, many of the bills’ supporters in the legislature call on fiscal needs for the passage of the bill. Senator Cynthia Creem’s (D-Newton, a co-sponsor of S.207) Chief-of-Staff, Mark Fine, explained, “The cost of our current policy is bad in fiscal terms, as well as in diverting resources from stopping the real criminals who are threats to public safety." Fine clarified that the senator, “does not condone marijuana use, only that our resources need to be better allocated for stopping violent crime." Senator Steven Tolman (D-Brighton), another co-sponsor of S.207 agreed. “It’s a question of resources and priorities, and [Sen. Tolman] feels that there’s not enough resources for crime prevention and not a high enough priority to waste money on the matter," said Matt Irish, Tolman’s Chief-of-Staff.Those in law enforcement also agree with decriminalization. While the Boston Police Department did not have an official comment, Officer Dan Daley, a 32 year veteran with the BPD, currently working in Allston-Brighton’s D-14 said, “I haven’t heard much talk about the issue around the precinct, but I don’t think it’s a bad idea … it doesn’t seem like much change [to the current enforcement] but would save us and the courts some trouble."While the bills do have potential supporters in the Senate and the House, as well as law enforcement, they also have critics, including Epstein’s representatives, who proposed S.1119, H. 1061 and H.1062 on his behalf. Senator Bruce Tarr’s (R-Gloucester) office said, “The Senator does not currently favor any decriminalization of marijuana and only filed the bills by request," but may consider changing his mind, “if there’s a difference in the wording or structure of the bills when they reach the floor." Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover), a freshman this year, agreed with Tarr. She stated, “It sends the wrong message and I filed the bill only by request. I’m not in favor and I feel that there are many more important issues right now, like the budget," apparently ignoring $24 million dollars in savings that the state would realize through decriminalization. Bill Downing, MassCann’s president and another co-founder, argued that the benefits are so substantial that any potential negatives are outweighed. “We need a more moral and reasonable method for dealing with marijuana. History has proved that prohibition fails," he said. Downing cited a study by Todd Mikuriya that shows that,in the nine-year history of California’s decriminalization, the state saved over $100 million. Dr. Joseph Miron, a Professor of Economics at Boston University, also did a study where he conservatively estimated that the state could save “$24.3 million a year in allocated resources" and cited new evidence that decriminalization in other states not only saved money but had “no measurable effect on marijuana use." Dr. Miron also explained, “Everything is dangerous; by comparison, pot is safe" and said that in addition to decriminalization we need “accurate information about what is dangerous and what is not. Pot is not a gateway drug, and should not be treated as such."Despite all the research and positive results in other states, most notably California, both Bill Downing and Steven Epstein feel that the bills have little chance of passing. Epstein explained that “in the current climate, the chances of [the bills] passing is not quite in our favor," and Downing added similar remarks: “I’d say the chances of the bills passing are about 25 percent." However, Epstein cited ballot results from several non-binding questions in 2002 that asked voters their opinion on decriminalization in the Commonwealth, “We won nearly 60/40 in every district the questions were asked in. The people want it, but the legislature is afraid to take sides." Epstein called upon those who support decriminalization to contact their legislators. “Everyone who reads this story and wants to change marijuana laws must speak out and let their representatives know what they want." To find out more about the bills or to learn more about MassCann, check out their Web site at: http://www.masscann.orgComplete Title: Stoners Find Almost $25 Million: Offer It To Romney Source: Boston Weekly Dig (MA)Author: Matthew Dolimpio Published: March 5 - 12, 2003Copyright: 2003 Boston Weekly DigContact: letters weeklydig.comWebsite: http://www.weeklydig.com/Related Articles & Web Site:MassCannhttp://www.masscann.org/ Marijuana Movement Rolls Into The Mainstream http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14775.shtmlVoters Speak: It’s High Time For Decriminalization http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14735.shtmlSouth Shore Backs Decriminalizing Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14689.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #8 posted by observer on March 09, 2003 at 13:46:53 PT decriminalization vs govt vested interest "Those in law enforcement also agree with decriminalization. While the Boston Police Department did not have an official comment, Officer Dan Daley, a 32 year veteran with the BPD, currently working in Allston-Brighton’s D-14 said, 'I haven’t heard much talk about the issue around the precinct, but I don’t think it’s a bad idea … it doesn’t seem like much change [to the current enforcement] but would save us and the courts some trouble.' "Well, I'd like to believe this. But, with the memory of the Nevada police association's about-face and betrayal of citizens in Nevada, I can see that this policeman and his union have not deliberated on the matter long enough. which reminds me of a definition I saw once in a fortune(6) cookie.Deliberation, n.: The act of examining one's bread to determine which side it is buttered on. -- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary"Once the nice kind goodly Officer Friendlies discover how big a chunk of their income depends on railroading, looting from (asset-seizing), preying on, force-treating, and generally gaming the system by scapegoating cannabis users, he'll change his tune.I hope I'm wrong. raw, breaking drug news http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by puff_tuff on March 07, 2003 at 22:09:03 PT Bill Maher on HBO Excellent show tonight.The opening scene is Bill and Woody Harrelson sitting around smoking a big bong, Bill comments on "Operation PipeDream" stating "when will it all end, first they come after the bongs, then the pipes and papers, what will we ever do"? At that moment a woman walks in carrying a tray saying "The brownies are ready"....a very funny and poignant comment.The last 10 minutes are the "Marijuana-logues" (ala the Vagina Monologues).....great stuff...a must see episode. As my kids would say...HBO ROCKS! [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on March 07, 2003 at 21:07:04 PT afterburner Thanks for the picture and music. I hope Steve has a speedy recovery. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by afterburner on March 07, 2003 at 20:45:57 PT: Photo for Steve Kubby & Some Relaxing Music. Photo for Steve Kubby http://boards.marihemp.com/boards/message.shtml?2x3276x1© Harbinger Mills Publications, Toronto, Ontario, Canada"Jah Jah a goin' weed them out.""Who Jah bless, let no one put asunder."All Reggae http://channels.netscape.com/ns/music/radio/stationinfo.jsp?g=&s=3811Reggae Roots http://channels.netscape.com/ns/music/radio/stationinfo.jsp?g=&s=3677ego destruction or ego transcendence, that is the question. Photo for Steve Kubby [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on March 07, 2003 at 20:43:04 PT afterburner I have a question. Do you know how much the fines are for having an open container? I don't know because I'm not up on laws about drinking. I wonder if the fine would be much different. How much is a fine for public intoxication? I don't know. I also don't understand the article because it is about laws and law talk goes right over the top of my head most times. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by afterburner on March 07, 2003 at 20:34:44 PT: Fines Are Just Another Form of Prohibition. What a stupid way to sell cannabis: a $100-500 surcharge (taxation without representation) for any amount under 1 ounce unless you bought it once before, then the price doubles. Then, if you buy more than the quota, they cage you. Does a carton of cigarettes make you jail bait? Does a well-stocked bar make you a pusher-man? If you by a meal, does the restaurant charge you 20% to 100% foodtax depending on the whim of the waiter, and oh, yes, does the foodtax double to 40% to 200% just because you ate there once before? What kind of cockamamie free enterprise is this? Where is the capitalism this country is known for? Charge what the market will bear, supply and demand. Tax it, and solve the state bankruptcies. Don't be fooled by imitations.ego destruction or ego transcendence, that is the question. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on March 07, 2003 at 20:26:19 PT Virgil Did You See This Too Thank you for Richard Cowan's Commentary. He's really good and I like him. He was very patient with me during the editing of the chat transcripts. I was sort of hysterical and he made me feel calm. He's a good person.Important E-Mail News from Richard Lake MAP: Just Talked to Michele Kubby - Steve is Ill Today's hearings went much better, according to Michele. The demand to start over had a good impact.However, the stress of the hearings along with the medical treatment he has been receiving has resulted in severe pneumonia.They are on the way to the hospital now, where he will be for a while. His doctor is writing a request to delay the hearings. It is expected that the request will be honored.Michele asked me to send you this update.Richard [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Virgil on March 07, 2003 at 20:10:25 PT Richard Cowan does it again In today's commentary at MJnews, RC says these words relating to Steve Kubby- http://www.marijuananews.com/news.php3?sid=640Today was the third day of the hearing for Steve Kubby, and it got off to a somewhat bumpy start that illustrated both of the two Canadas. Yesterday, while Steve was ill and his wife, Michele, was on her own, the representative of the Immigration minister tried a little hard ball. So, this morning, Steve demanded that the whole bunch recuse themselves, and start over! Of course, they ruled against that, but they quickly went back to being Canadian nice. As I reported on Wednesday, the Immigration Ministry has not made the rejection of refugees from DEAland an absolute position of the Canadian government, and today the Adjudicator said that the refugee claimants only have to meet the standards of the “preponderance of the evidence” not “beyond a reasonable doubt.” That is very important, although the evidence seems overwhelming. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment