cannabisnews.com: Marijuana Reform Right for Bay State





Marijuana Reform Right for Bay State
Posted by CN Staff on October 22, 2008 at 08:58:42 PT
Editorial
Source: Republican
Springfield, MA -- You have friends and family members and co-workers who have smoked marijuana. You may have even indulged a bit yourself back in the day.Few people today would argue that someone who had been caught with a small amount of marijuana for his or her own personal use should be denied, say, a job. Or a student loan. Or an apartment. Or a professional license.
But that's exactly what could happen under current laws that are in place in Massachusetts. Question 2 on the November ballot seeks to right that wrong by making possession of an ounce or less - for personal use - a civil rather than a criminal offense.Opponents of Question 2 - most notably district attorneys - argue that first-time offenders are directed to programs outside the criminal-justice system and thus leave no record of their transgression. But that's because the district attorneys currently in office choose to handle it that way. A successor could opt for a completely different tack, marking each offender for life.Question 2 takes that possibility off the table.Someone caught with a bit of pot would have the marijuana confiscated, would be assessed a $100 fine - and that would be that. There would be no criminal proceedings, no record to be accessed.Question 2 is sound and sensible public policy.It does not make marijuana legal. It does not make it OK to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of marijuana. It does not change a single law on the books regarding the sale or distribution of marijuana.And it deals with youthful offenders in the most rational way: by getting the family involved. Juveniles caught with marijuana would have the citation delivered to a parent or guardian, and would have to complete a drug awareness program and perform community service.Across the nation, there are 11 states that have passed laws similar to Question 2. Some have been in place for decades, and there is no evidence whatsoever that the change has led to increased marijuana use or a decrease in general order.This reform is right for Massachusetts. We urge voters on Nov. 4 to support Question 2.Source: Republican, The (Springfield, MA)Published: Wednesday October 22, 2008Copyright: 2008 The RepublicanContact: letters repub.comWebsite: http://www.masslive.com/republican/Related Articles & Web Site:Committee for Sensible Marijuana Policyhttp://www.sensiblemarijuanapolicy.org/Question 2 on Marijuana Possession Heats Up http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24246.shtmlVote 'Yes' on Question 2http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24244.shtml
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Comment #4 posted by Vincent on October 22, 2008 at 20:41:16 PT:
An open letter to Gov. Deval Patrick
Greetings Governor Patrick...
  During the election of 2006, when we voted to "throw the bums out", you were elected Governor of Massachusetts. Your candidacy was hailed in some quarters, panned in others. Your opponents used dire warnings, some of them racist in nature, to scare voters. However, you were elected and the sky did not fall.  This year, there is a ballot initiative called Question 2, decriminalizing small amounts of Marijuana. I read that you are against it. Say it ain't so, Governor. Are you opposing it just to ingratiate yourself with Conservatives?
If so, don't do it. Republicans are animals and they will never accept you, no matter what. Just remember that it was the progressives that voted for you. The progressives are in favor of Question 2, Conservatives are against it. Why would you betray your constituency?  You should keep in mind who are your friends and who are your enemies. Don't side with these anti-pot animals. 
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Comment #3 posted by Sam Adams on October 22, 2008 at 17:35:57 PT
the children
that article has to be the first I've seen that asked "what about the children" and then answered "they'll be OK"The guys sounds depressed, c'mon buddy it's not that bad, the people will be voting on this, not the politicians.excerpt:"Here’s a bill that offers common sense for adults, with prevention and tougher penalties for minors — what a surprising balance. I’m sure it’s doomed."
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on October 22, 2008 at 15:52:03 PT
Question Two: What About The Children?
October 22, 2008http://www.metrobostonnews.com/us/article/2008/10/22/04/2544-72/index.xml
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Comment #1 posted by Sam Adams on October 22, 2008 at 09:16:25 PT
nice one!
a pleasant surprise, coming from "The Republican"
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