cannabisnews.com: Anti-Pot Activist Angles for 'No' Vote





Anti-Pot Activist Angles for 'No' Vote
Posted by CN Staff on July 09, 2008 at 10:15:38 PT
By Ellen G. Lahr, Berkshire Eagle Staff
Source: Berkshire Eagle
Pittsfield, MA -- It's official: Massachusetts residents will vote in November on whether to decriminalize minor possession of marijuana, and William T. Breault of Worcester is out to see that they vote "no."Breault, an activist who heads up the Main South Alliance for Public Safety, said citizens have an obligation to get educated about the issue. He accuses the decriminalization advocates of using "deceptive tactics" to gain voter support.
The Boston-based group behind the referendum vote, the Committee for a Sensible Marijuana Policy, has received certification of its 13,481 signatures gathered to bring the issue to voters, and is now awaiting its ballot number designation from the Secretary of State's office, said spokeswoman Whitney Taylor.The measure calls for changing minor marijuana possession — defined as less than an ounce — from a crime to a civil infraction.The amendment would also mandate parental notification requirements for offenders under 18, plus drug awareness education and community service — consequences not included in present criminal penalties.Taylor said the consequences of conviction for minor marijuana possession can include a criminal record that can impede a person's ability to get a job, student loan, or in some instances, access to housing.But in his swing through Pittsfield on Monday, Breault reiterated his long-standing opposition to the decriminalization effort, and said he's seeking others to join his cause, which so far has been endorsed by district attorneys and police chiefs around the state.He said the decriminalization effort is at sharp odds with evidence that marijuana use, particularly among teens, carries more health risks than it did years ago, when the drug had less concentrations of THC, the main psychoactive component of pot.Breault said that in his Worcester neighborhood, he's seen people robbed, injured and killed over marijuana, and with decriminalization, those problems could escalate.Marijuana use cited in emergency room admissions is on the rise nationally, Breault said. And contrary to what the Boston group states, he claimed that few, if any, inmates in the state's jails are sent there for minor marijuana possession alone; in local courts, it's not uncommon for first-time possession offenders to receive an eventual dismissal of the charges, with no criminal record resulting."The way to beat this is to energize the voters and have them look at this," said Breault.Taylor described Breault as "a hardcore drug warrior" without much organization behind his effort.Current Massachusetts law states that people in possession of marijuana can face up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $500.The criminal record that results is "a black mark on his or her record that lingers long after the minor offense and jeopardizes the person's ability to obtain jobs, housing, and school loans," according the Web site - http://www.sensiblemarijuanapolicy.orgThe new law would amend marijuana possession to a civil infraction, eliminate the criminal record issue and, according to advocates, save about $29.5 million per year in law enforcement resources.The amended law would not change current penalties for selling, growing, and trafficking marijuana, as well as the prohibition against driving under the influence of marijuana.Local law enforcement personnel are sharply opposed to dropping the criminal penalties for possession, saying that dealers who travel with more than an ounce of marijuana can simply carry around less, to avoid criminal charges.District Attorney David Capeless said decriminalizing marijuana will mean a proliferation of use, as dealers pick up more customers. He cited the documented health risks of marijuana use and a correlation between use among teens, depression and suicidal thoughts.The National Institute on Drug Abuse states that THC increases the heart rate. A recent Yale University study also showed that THC administered to 150 health volunteers led to psychotic symptoms in 50 percent of them."The marijuana being pedaled today is far stronger than the marijuana being used years ago," Capeless said yesterday.Capeless said his overriding concern is that the ballot measure "sends the wrong message to kids," who in general have been reporting less marijuana use in recent years.Earlier this year, Capeless said roughly 4 percent of all cases that go through his office each year deal with simple marijuana possession, and that most marijuana charges are associated with other criminal activity.At a Glance:Current State LawPeople arrested with any amount of marijuana can face criminal charges, up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $500.Proposed ChangePeople arrested with less than an ounce of marijuana would be charged with a civil infraction, the equivalent of a speeding ticket. Newshawk: Sam AdamsSource: Berkshire Eagle, The (Pittsfield, MA)Author: Ellen G. Lahr, Berkshire Eagle StaffPublished: Wednesday, July 09, 2008Copyright: 2008 New England Newspapers, Inc.Contact: letters berkshireeagle.comWebsite: http://www.berkshireeagle.com/CannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml
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Comment #27 posted by FoM on July 31, 2008 at 18:36:43 PT
Vincent
Hello to you too. Do you know that you don't have to post your e-mail address to comment? E-mail's are only important when a person registers. Either way it is ok.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #26 posted by Vincent on July 31, 2008 at 17:41:53 PT:
You can call me Vincent
Hello to everyone at CN. You can call Websterpark74 by his
real name. Why the username websterpark74? Because, in 1974
I used to hang out at Webster Park, Fordham section, Bronx.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #25 posted by FoM on July 29, 2008 at 06:31:48 PT
Websterpark 74
Maybe this will help. If you post the name you want to use I can change your registered name from the one you have to the one you want to use. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #24 posted by FoM on July 28, 2008 at 19:42:30 PT
ekim
That was good to point out. Thank you.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #23 posted by ekim on July 28, 2008 at 19:39:48 PT
hey web74
if you have your name in green means you could get email cause you have given it out.good luck 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #22 posted by FoM on July 28, 2008 at 19:19:03 PT
websterpark74 
If you register again under the name you want to use then you will be able to use either name. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #21 posted by websterpark74 on July 28, 2008 at 18:59:16 PT:
Apreciation
  I apreciate(I hope that I spelled that right)your welcoming me. I feel very proud to be here. One thing, though. How do I change my name from Websterpark74 to
something else when I visit this site. I am relatively new to the world of computers and I really don't understand its dynamics.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #20 posted by Hope on July 27, 2008 at 06:30:48 PT
Websterpark 74
When I said, "People can be blind to their error", I meant me, not you. It wouldn't be the first time I'd found myself rolling along with all flags flying and been informed I'd been overly harsh or just wrong. I really get to carrying on about "Right and Wrong" in this venue... about the entire drug war... when it comes to the war on drugs and most especially, cannabis.How can people believe it's right to kill and persecute and imprison people over whether they use, like, or need an herb or substance? It's a most startling case of one of those "Having a plank in their own eye" sort of things, seems to me like. So that's why I'm always griping about that they, prohibitionists, can't seem to see right from wrong.Of course I accept your apology, and I understand it would be easy to misunderstand the way I put that little outburst of mine.I'm glad you're with us, Websterpark 74.
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Comment #19 posted by websterpark74 on July 26, 2008 at 22:51:04 PT:
explanation
  Hello again, Hope and company. I'm glad that you accepted my apology. Check this out, I can
be very militant about legalization. Be too harsh in my judgements.
  But when I'm feeling good, like right now, I can be 
more understanding of the other person's viewpoint.That's
one very important effect of smoking the...well, you know.
The ability to really think objectively. No atitudes.
  
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #18 posted by Hope on July 26, 2008 at 15:05:47 PT
I thought that you were agreeing with William B.
Nah. I wasn't agreeing with him.He seems bound and determined to make an ass and a fool of himself... and I thought I might figuratively, mentally, talking to the TV sort of, egg him on a bit and just let him get it over with.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #17 posted by Hope on July 26, 2008 at 15:02:36 PT
Oh my gosh, Museman...
That's funny.And sweet.It wouldn't be the first time I'd messed up though and needed a bit of advice... for sure.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #16 posted by Hope on July 26, 2008 at 14:57:20 PT
websterpark74 
Thank you for getting back to me. I was really concerned. It happens. People can be blind to their error... that includes me as well as everyone else, I think.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #15 posted by museman on July 26, 2008 at 10:44:18 PT
websterpark74 
Dude (if you are a dude) you really stepped into that one! I think Hope was about to "go Victorian on your ass." lolWelcome to Cnews.Some belated advice;Nobody messes with the two 'Pillars of the Temple;' Hope and FoM.:-)>
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Comment #14 posted by museman on July 26, 2008 at 09:40:39 PT
get all the 'no' names
So we can list them all for the world to see, just who it was that condemned so many people to suffering, imprisonment, and economic disparity, all for the sake of a wonderful herb that would even heal them, the fools.The Noname list.Its official; William T Breault is on the list of Cannabis War Criminals.
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Comment #13 posted by websterpark74 on July 25, 2008 at 23:12:05 PT:
Apology
I'm sorry, Hope, I misread your posting. I thought that you 
were agreeing with William Brealt. Forgive me, it won't happen again.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #12 posted by Hope on July 23, 2008 at 20:04:34 PT
websterpark74
Please tell me what it is you think I need to know... besides that I'm misjudging a right from a wrong. Which one?
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #11 posted by Hope on July 23, 2008 at 20:02:17 PT
websterpark74
Guess I was being rather a smart ass... what with figuratively egging him on to making a spectacle of himself in the punisher/prohibitionists stance he takes.Is that how I offended your sensibilities?
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #10 posted by Hope on July 23, 2008 at 19:29:12 PT
websterpark74
I've offended you?Forgive me.Exactly how do you feel I'm confused about the difference between right and wrong?
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #9 posted by websterpark74 on July 23, 2008 at 17:24:28 PT:
William Brealt's anti-marijuana garbage
I hope to God (the true God--the one I believe in) that this
guy Brealt fails. And to the poster called Hope--it is you who needs to know what is truly right and wrong.
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Comment #8 posted by ekim on July 10, 2008 at 18:35:03 PT
i see Hope has it covered-- thanks
http://cannabisnews.com/news/24/thread24062.shtml
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #7 posted by ekim on July 10, 2008 at 18:17:34 PT
please see Petes site for bad drug bust
another false raid --- read what the police say about it.
http://www.drugwarrant.com
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #6 posted by OverwhelmSam on July 10, 2008 at 07:54:57 PT
What About The Adults?
Next time you here "What about the children?" ask them "What about the adults?". Children are already indoctrinated into taking drugs from aspirin to cough medicine and observe adults taking nicotine, caffiene and alcohol. If they really cared about the children, they would simply explain that certain drugs are for adults.
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on July 09, 2008 at 18:46:46 PT
LaGuardia 
That's good to read.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #4 posted by LaGuardia on July 09, 2008 at 17:30:33 PT
FYI
Comments about this article on the Berkshire Eagle website are currently roughly 38 to 4 in favor of decriminalization (those against simply write "vote no" or rant along the lines of "What about the Children!"). Most of the commenters, both for and against, identify themselves as being local to western Massachusetts and nearby New York. In addition, the paper's online poll is over 75% in favor of decriminalization; the sampling is probably somewhat skew with respect to the population at large because not everyone uses a computer . . . but the outlook in Massachusetts appears to be positive!
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Comment #3 posted by NikoKun on July 09, 2008 at 13:01:24 PT
Anti-Pot activists lack common sense...
"Breault said that in his Worcester neighborhood, he's seen people robbed, injured and killed over marijuana, and with decriminalization, those problems could escalate."
This fool doesn't seem capable of seeing that it is the PROHIBITION of Marijuana, that is actually the cause for such crime and violence...If we legalized it, that would take the drug profits away from the black market, the gangs, criminals, and drug cartels... Which would lead to a LOT less violence and crime over Marijuana, because they wouldn't be selling it anymore!
If legitimate shops are allowed to sell it, it will become cheaper, safer, and harder for kids to get! And quite simply, the black market cannot compete with legitimate business.This Anti-Pot activist has the most backwards faulty stance on this issue, that he could possible have.
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Comment #2 posted by Hope on July 09, 2008 at 12:46:00 PT
Energize them, Breault....
""The way to beat this is to energize the voters and have them look at this," said Breault."So they'll get rid of the overreaching power of people like you that are obviously very confused about the difference between what is, truly, right and wrong. 
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Comment #1 posted by potpal on July 09, 2008 at 12:05:00 PT
stupidest man in Worcester
Wonder where his money is invested...?http://radioball.net/2008/06/14/william-breault-stupidest-man-in-worcester-part-2/ 
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