cannabisnews.com: Districts Polled on Marijuana Law





Districts Polled on Marijuana Law
Posted by CN Staff on October 03, 2004 at 09:24:18 PT
By John Laidler, Globe Correspondent
Source: Boston Globe 
Two area senate districts have become local test grounds in the ongoing debate over marijuana laws. In the Second Essex and the Third Essex and Middlesex districts, voters will weigh in on whether possession of the drug should be decriminalized.In each district, a nonbinding question asks if the district's senator should ''introduce and vote for legislation making possession of marijuana a civil violation like a traffic ticket." The legislation also would require police to hold a person under 18 cited for possession ''until released to a parent, legal guardian or brought before a judge."
The Second Essex, represented by Peabody Democrat Frederick E. Berry, includes Beverly, Danvers, Peabody, Salem, and Topsfield. The Third Essex and Middlesex, represented by Lynn Democrat Thomas M. McGee, includes Lynn, Marblehead, Nahant, Swampscott, and parts of Saugus and Melrose.Both McGee and Berry are unopposed in the November election.The question was placed on the two senate districts ballots, and in the 10th Norfolk House district, by the Committee to Reform Marijuana Laws, a group that supports decriminalization of marijuana, according to Steven S. Epstein, an attorney and Georgetown resident who is heading up the effort.A separate group, the Drug Policy Forum of Massachusetts, has sponsored two other ballot measures, both in districts outside the north of Boston area. One focuses on decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana, and the other on allowing medical use of marijuana.Those involved with both groups are members of the Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition.Epstein said the ultimate goal of many decriminalization proponents is legalization. But he said it would not be practical to legalize marijuana at the state level at this point. Few would likely want to sell the drug openly for risk of being targeted by federal authorities, he said.But Epstein said decriminalization would in itself bring significant benefits, including significant saving by law enforcement agencies because of reduced court time.Epstein said the federal government has estimated that about 45 percent of people over 18 have used marijuana in their lifetime. ''This is not a foreign substance to most Americans anymore," he said.Essex District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett said decriminalizing marijuana would be a mistake.Blodgett noted that currently, the punishment for those charged with possession of marijuana as a first offense ''is not draconian." Typically, the case is continued without a finding for six months, at which time -- barring any other offense -- the record is sealed.''That's almost analogous to giving someone a ticket," Blodgett said.He said he believed it should still go through the criminal process, however, because ''I've become convinced over the years that marijuana is a gateway drug," referring to a drug that leads to use of other drugs.He said there has also been ''pretty substantial research and medical findings by scientists that supports the fact that the long-term use of marijuana does cause memory loss and some brain damage. It does have some negative long-term effects."Salem Police Captain Paul Tucker, chief of the department's detective unit, is also against decriminalizing marijuana possession. ''I think [the law] serves the purpose of keeping people away from a harmful drug that they may otherwise be interested in using if the criminal penalty weren't in place," he said.Epstein said that although most people arrested for the first time for marijuana possession have their cases continued without a finding, there are instances in which the defendant receives a guilty finding. The punishment is up to a year of probation and a fine of up to $500.Gary Insuik of Salem, a member of the Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition, hopes voters will say ''yes" on the ballot questions.''Instead of having to arrest people, they could write them a civil [summons]," he said. ''I think it would turn into a monetary savings for the court system. Let them deal with real crimes."In 2000 and 2002, ballot questions calling for decriminalization of marijuana or for allowing its use for medical purposes were put before voters in one Senate district and about two dozen House districts, passing in all of them.Since 1973, 12 states, including New York and Maine, have adopted decriminalization measures, according to Epstein. Legislation providing for decriminalization is currently pending on Beacon Hill. Source: Boston Globe (MA)Author: John Laidler, Globe CorrespondentPublished: October 3, 2004Copyright: 2004 Globe Newspaper CompanyContact: letter globe.comWebsite: http://www.boston.com/globe/Related Articles & Web Site:MassCann NORMLhttp://www.masscann.org/Pot Question on Ballot in Parts of E. Arlington http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19471.shtmlA Show of Support for Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19383.shtmlHigher and Higher: Reefer Sanityhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19323.shtmlLegalizing of Marijuana Use May Head To Ballothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19281.shtml 
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Comment #18 posted by E_Johnson on October 04, 2004 at 09:23:56 PT
It's what the hemp industry should do
Send out bags of toasted hemp seed and books on hemp nutrition to all the major food and health editors and writers in America.That would cost about oh a few thousand dollars but it would be worth it.Now that the feds have given up trying to ban, it's just a regular food product. But journalists do not know that.
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Comment #17 posted by ekim on October 04, 2004 at 08:57:57 PT
how about 10 mill for new meds
Good going E I wish that we as humans would give 10 million for anyone that shows that a plant will fill some of the nutritional needs that humans need and do it for pennies. Also a plant that will add millions of jobs substituting the need for oil ---------- like the 10 million that will be awarded for more trips in space 
http://www.aammi.org
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Comment #16 posted by FoM on October 04, 2004 at 08:43:12 PT
EJ That Was Good
I never would have thought of anything like that!
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Comment #15 posted by E_Johnson on October 04, 2004 at 08:37:36 PT
I sent Rosie Mestel a bag of hemp seed
I went online and ordered a bag of toasted hemp seed and a book on hemp seed nutrition, and had them sent to Rosie Mestel at the LA Times.
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Comment #14 posted by breeze on October 04, 2004 at 02:57:47 PT
-representing-
In all serioiusness of the climate in which we live, I must address a few issues that I can say that I have followed on this board as of late.The first one is the discussion of politics. It is apparent that most people on this board are for the decriminalization of cannabis- in all of its varieties and utilization. In order to achieve this goal, politics is where the venture will be played out- like it or not. In order to win the war against the war on "some" drugs one has to meet the opponent on their battlefield, too frequently- this battlefield happens to be either on the political front or within the chambers of our courts.Most people do not realize this, or even have the faintest idea- but this election- this ONE election, will influence our supreme court for the next forty years. Whomever takes office this time will set the pace for how our supreme court will function in its primary views for the rest of my life. If the elected president avows to set the mode in a more conservative view, forget medical marijuana EVER being a possibility within the boundaries of this nation. Expect harsh and unforgiving rulings to become the norm.If a more liberal court is established, expect a fair and balanced mode of judgments to be passed down- reasoning and common sense is to reign the next forty years.I say this because most people do not understand even the definition of conservative views- they assume conservative means frugal, or refraining from aggressive stances against limiting freedoms, liberties, and hypocricy. Nothing could be further from the truth.This is why this election is so very important. Freedom, as you have known it, is at stake here. Our current court mandates the mood of how laws are effectively passed and regulated- how elected officials either gain or decline their leadership positions by enciting limits or grants to freedom.In the same contrast, people think of terrorists as people who kill people or destroy property with their own version of being righteous. Perfect example is the drug war to some, to others, its a guy named Abu wearing a bomb and walking into a crowded area. Nonetheless, terrorism is nothing less than a tool used to control others- by enciting fear. It is often times highly effective, because of the nature of its ugliness.But we have come to a point in time where terrorism is now a reality in our nation. Any single person could be a possible suspect of doing so- enciting fear to control others. Parents frequently do this to their own offspring- and eventually, vice versa. It has always been here, always will be. The scale of which it has been accomplished is another thing entirely- be it religous fanatics, or simply angry tax payers- often times people forget what the meaning of terrorism encites. Eric Rudolph bombed an abortion clinic in Atlanta, in hopes that he would dissuade women from having abortions. He cited his reasons were because of his religious beliefs. The Columbine boys did their thing because they weren't respected as individuals, they were seen as different, and that difference was BAD. I will not justify what they did, but I have seen their enviroment first hand and can say that what they probably endured before their horrible act certainly did not prevent their judgement. People have unlimited potential for arrogance, and these boys simply did not rise above that conceit. Revenge is best served on a cold plate, by living, and living well- not through violence.But look past this, look to the true story of liqour store attendant who was murdered during a gang initiation. Was his death a mere random act of violence, or a literal act of terrorism?
The gang member got away- the store owners widow had to close up for good. She was with him when it occured, they had owned and ran the shop together for forty years- and were within two weeks of retiring from the buisness, because violence in the area had gotten beyond control of local police. As I said, the gang member got away.Were resources to find the recently "made" gang member more available because of our laws on cannabis, or do the laws on cannabis fuel the need to be in a gang? Gangs frequently earn a living from sale of drugs, and they make a lot of money from doing so. To truly battle terroism, one must first reduce the profits of doing so- to have a harsher stance against any form of drugs is not the answer. I realize that there are some drugs that should be illegal, but given the number of arrests for cannabis, the results just don't equate the means. If the laws cause more harm than the drugs, then the laws need changing- not efforts boosted to reduce the availability of the drugs.
Remember, not only did a man lose his life, his wife lost her husband and their buisness. To top things off, the killer got away. Politics is something I LOATHE. I abhor politics, and politicians- but this is where and how we will change things- by controlling who we put into power. Politics directly affect almost every aspect of life in this nation- from the economy, to our security. From our prosperity, to our neglected poor- politics steps in the way. Being politcally incorrect is equally as important- it keeps those who seek to control others in line.It is interesting that scripture is no longer welcome as a method of demonstrating the communion of spirit and a persons enlightment from any particular group or representation of people. I say this because a request was made on this forum to no longer post scriptures. I am a pagan, or, as it is to be told- I do not believe in god in the same way as anyone who defines themself to be a christian- I do however have knowledge that there forces within this universe that mankind cannot explain or fathom.
Am I offended when someone quotes a biblical passage? Only if they seek to judge or harm another in any sort of negative light. Other than that, I can see only positive issues arising from spirituality- not religion. A persons spirituality defines them as a person, their religion controls them. Thus, we have seperation of church and state- because no one religion should be established as a state religion in the land of freedom. But for how long has this been a norm? It hasn't. Far too long, has one religion been the mainstream and a guide for many in this nation- some of the good principals were lost on translation- others have become construde to support the means of the "religous" and not the spiritual. What is immoral to one group, is perfectly normal to another. I have read recently of where another teenager has died of alcohol poisoning, and yet to see any federal funded programs at cautioning teens that they can die of drinking too much alcohol than their body can process. "I didn't even KNOW you could drink too much alcohol." one friend of the deceased is quoted saying during the report. And yet, cannabis is made out to be a crime against humanity by some prohibitionists. Where stands reason, where is accountability? Its in the hands of those who vote for those who make these descisions. The run for the white house is a major one, I totally agree. But keep in mind that you may also be voting for those who are running for congress as well, the ones who are also affluent in making descisions that effect us all through congress, or on a state and local level. Common sense is attainable, it is only going to take a severe effort to do so. What good will it do to elect a state representative who ignores the facts that current policy is faulty? Where have we gained ground to pay attention to only those who want to be president and ignored those who also pass bills and introduce them as well? I barely know the names of the two in my state who are running for congress, nuch less their stand on key issues- and I DO pay attention to politics- because it is the ONLY way that laws encompassing cannabis will be changed.
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Comment #13 posted by Hope on October 03, 2004 at 20:29:20 PT
Off topic
A very unusual thing...Drudge has not one, but two, cannabis stories up at the Drudge Report.http://drudgereport.com/
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Comment #12 posted by E_Johnson on October 03, 2004 at 19:20:14 PT
Time to send the LA Times some letters
They published this entire article on Omega 3 fatty acids and did not mention hemp seed once.The author's email address is Rosie.Mestel latimes.comhttp://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-omega3s4oct04,1,1640879.story?coll=la-home-health
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Comment #11 posted by global_warming on October 03, 2004 at 15:16:00 PT
No Scriptures..Lyrics??
Cuccurrucucu, paloma, Ay, ayayayay, cantaba,
Cuccurrucucu, paloma, Ay, ayayayay, cantaba,
Las serenatas en el salòn del instituto
a la hora de gimnasia o de religiòn,
Por carnavales tocaba en medio de las màscaras
tenìa ya la Luna y Urano en el leòn,
El mar en un bolsillo, burbujas al trasluz,
En cuanto te marchaste lejos me faltò la luz,
El mundo es gris, es gris y azul,
Cuccurrucucu, paloma, Ay ayayayay, cantaba,
Cuccurrucucu, paloma, Ay ayayayay, cantaba,
La ira funesta del pròfugo afgano,
de los que la frontera con Iràn cruzaron,
càntame oh, diva, sobre el piel roja americano,
la gesta eròtica de la India piel de luna
La pluma estilogràfica con la tinta azul
no quiero afeitadora eléctrica, no es necesario
el mundo es gris, es gris y azul,
Cuccurrucucu, paloma, Ay, ayayayay, cantaba,
Cuccurrucucu, paloma, Ay, ayayayay, cantaba,In love and spirit,
How can each be sperated,?
In the haste towards life,
Should we forget
The life that holds us,
Like a tree that reach's for life,
Like each blade of grass,
The power of love,
Shines through the mist of darknesss,
The fallen hold up the cross,
The rage against this life,
For nought,For what?
We mourn for our loses,
Each and others,
Our little ones
That have not tasted
The grace of God, 
That have missed the chance
To see the light of the mystery of God
There is rage
In my heart
In this world
I grieve for the children,
The little ones,
Who have been denied,
The sight of the holy Light,
The urge of the God
Propels us further,
Deeper into understanding,
Deeper into our denied souls and existence
The crack in this universe
Will forever shine
To remind and and usher
Each life and child
The urge of God
The hand of God
With steady strength
Holds and carries
The babies
The confused
The angry
To the mysteries
To an everlasting pasture
To a Paradise
That rejoins us
To our unknown brothers and sisters
Your brother -gw
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Comment #10 posted by Hope on October 03, 2004 at 14:54:38 PT
I suspect that mantra might
have been born of my grizzly bear dna.:-)
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Comment #9 posted by Hope on October 03, 2004 at 14:48:09 PT
never
ever, ever
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Comment #8 posted by Hope on October 03, 2004 at 14:47:19 PT
Never give up. Never give up. Never give up.
That's where a lot of our power is. They KNOW that we will never give up.Never give up. Never give up. Never give up.
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Comment #7 posted by Hope on October 03, 2004 at 14:45:28 PT
Dankhank
That was two months before I got my first computer. Will was lucky to have you standing up for him. We are all lucky to have you. I remember how awful and hopeless his story was. We all staggered under the weight of it...but he's not still sitting in that dreadful cell...and it's because people just wouldn't shut up.Never give up. Never give up. Never give up.
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on October 03, 2004 at 14:27:13 PT
Dankhank
Wow does that bring back memories. We've sure been at this for a long time! I really appreciate Ron Bennett. He has always been so kind to me and we've talked for hours on the phone in the past. He's a real good guy.
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Comment #5 posted by Dankhank on October 03, 2004 at 14:04:24 PT
Funny you should mention Will...
HopeYour comment about Will make me see if something is still on the web. It is and here it is for you, as you had commented on seeing something in here from 1999.http://www.cannabis.com/ezine/activism/5.shtmlThis marks the day I came "out of the closet" on Medical Cannabis issues, and who got to hear it.Wow, along time ago.
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Comment #4 posted by Dark Star on October 03, 2004 at 11:20:16 PT
Hope
Thanks to you, there is Hope!
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Comment #3 posted by Hope on October 03, 2004 at 11:03:16 PT
state and local initiatives
The change has got to be federal. The only thing, maybe, that this local stuff can do is perhaps wake the feds up and give the silent cowards up there a little courage to actually be representative of the masses. 
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Comment #2 posted by Hope on October 03, 2004 at 10:58:03 PT
Dark Star
Remember Will Foster!Extraorinary things can and do happen.
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Comment #1 posted by Dark Star on October 03, 2004 at 10:27:17 PT
No Hope
I am afraid that there is no hope to change the attitudes on those in authority on this issue until:1) The courts force liberalization, and they learn that the sky will not fall.2) Every country but Saudi Arabia and Malaysia legalize it.3) A prescription cannabis product is available and proves safe.
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