cannabisnews.com: Voters Approve Marijuana Law Change










  Voters Approve Marijuana Law Change

Posted by CN Staff on November 05, 2008 at 07:03:56 PT
By David Abel, Globe Staff 
Source: Boston Globe 

Boston, MA --  Voters yesterday overwhelmingly approved a ballot initiative to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana, making getting caught with less than an ounce of pot punishable by a civil fine of $100. The change in the law means someone found carrying dozens of joints will no longer be reported to the state's criminal history board.With about 90 percent of the state's precincts reporting last night, voters favored the Question 2 proposition 65 percent to 35 percent.
"The people were ahead of the politicians on this issue; they recognize and want a more sensible approach to our marijuana policy," said Whitney Taylor, chairwoman of the Committee for Sensible Marijuana Policy, which campaigned for the ballot initiative. "They want to focus our limited law enforcement resources on serious and violent crimes. They recognize under the new law that the punishment will fit the offense."The proposition will become law 30 days after it is reported to the Governor's Council, which usually meets in late November or early December. But the Legislature could amend or repeal the new law, as they have done with prior initiatives passed by the voters, said Emily LaGrassa, a spokeswoman for Attorney General Martha Coakley.Opponents of the proposition said they are concerned about the potential consequences of the vote. "The administration is clear in its opposition to the decriminalization of marijuana, and we are concerned about the effects of ballot Question 2's passage," Kevin Burke, secretary of the state's Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, said in a statement.He would not comment on whether the administration will try to repeal the law, which will require violators younger than 18 to complete a drug awareness program and community service. The fine would increase to as much as $1,000 for those who fail to complete the program.Proponents of the initiative, who spent about $1 million promoting it, argued the change in the law would maintain the state's existing penalties for growing, trafficking, or driving under the influence of marijuana, while ensuring that those caught with less than an ounce of pot would avoid the taint of a criminal record.The opponents, who include the governor, attorney general, and district attorneys around the state, argued that decriminalizing marijuana possession would promote drug use and benefit drug dealers at a time when they say marijuana has become more potent. They warned it would increase violence on the streets and safety hazards in the workplace, and cause the number of car crashes to rise as more youths drive under the influence.In a statement, the Coalition for Safe Streets, which opposed the initiative, blamed the loss on being outspent by supporters of Question 2, which included the billionaire financier George Soros, who spent more than $400,000 in favor of decriminalizing marijuana."Now these pro-drug special interests will move on to another state as part of their plan to inflict a radical drug-legalization agenda on as many communities as possible," said the statement.The Rev. Bruce Wall, pastor of Global Ministries Christian Church in Dorchester, was among several prominent black ministers in Boston who called on fellow clergy to oppose the initiative."I guess there are a lot of people smoking the stuff, and they don't see what we see," Wall said.The initiative's success last night sparked loud cheers from supporters gathered at the Silvertone Bar & Grill in downtown."I think this points to how our Legislature is unwilling to represent their constituents on these issues," said Bill Downing, president of the Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition.Globe correspondent Matt Negrin contributed to this report. Source: Boston Globe (MA)Author:  David Abel, Globe Staff Published: November 5, 2008 Copyright: 2008 Globe Newspaper CompanyContact: letter globe.comWebsite: http://www.boston.com/globe/Related Articles & Web Site:Committee for Sensible Marijuana Policyhttp://www.sensiblemarijuanapolicy.org/Mass. Voters OK Decriminalization of Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24281.shtmlQuestion 2 Passes Muster of Q&A Claimshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24280.shtml

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Comment #38 posted by Hope on November 06, 2008 at 11:11:03 PT
As someone who remembers
Segregation, Desegregation, Civil Rights Movements, Martin Luther King and all of it, I have to say, this moment in world history, this moment in American history, is one of the most profound and gratifying I have been able to witness or be a part of, so far in my lifetime. It's more profound and wonderful and sweet and amazing than putting anyone on the moon...I can tell you that.It's good. It's a rare feeling of hope for mankind.
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Comment #37 posted by FoM on November 06, 2008 at 10:53:17 PT
Hope
I didn't like that either about Souder but at least Indiana has joined the blue states. I am so proud of my state since the election. Only 40% in my county voted for Obama but that is really a small miracle for him to get 40% around here.
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Comment #36 posted by Hope on November 06, 2008 at 10:48:21 PT
Joy
It's been nice. Kind of like smiling all over.The only momentary dent in my bliss has been learning of Souder's re-election. But, I really do, perhaps naively, expect good to come of that, somehow, too.
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Comment #35 posted by FoM on November 06, 2008 at 09:52:27 PT
museman
No matter what the future holds we can always feel very good about what has happened. I know I think differently then many people but to me there is a special spirit in the air.
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Comment #34 posted by museman on November 06, 2008 at 09:43:38 PT
FoM
I have been hysterically lsughing through tears of joy -for a couple of days now.The situation is just so unbelievable, so positively positive, my head is literally spinning.The possibilities are so potentially positive, it scares me.After a lifetime of living under corruption as the 'ways and means' of amerikan status quo, I fear for this new embryonic journey. I fear that those newly awakened awarenesses are going to be lulled back asleep, and the bright future we might actually be seeing might meet the usual demise of complacency.But in the meantime;"We can do it!"LIBERATE CANNABIS FOR EVERYONE
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Comment #33 posted by FoM on November 06, 2008 at 08:54:23 PT
museman
Thank you so much. You made me smile.
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Comment #32 posted by museman on November 06, 2008 at 08:48:35 PT
I almost forgot in the excitement....
FREE MARIJUANA FOR EVERYONE
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Comment #31 posted by museman on November 06, 2008 at 08:47:21 PT
FoM
Happy Birthday to you,thanks for what you do,we kicked butt for freedom,like we so have hoped to do.We now have a man,where once we had a bush,and hope might be for real,if we all get out and push.'Cause the wagon's broken down,the wheels won't roll so good,when all the oil belongs to the richwho've taken all they could.They've taken it,and left a great big hole,and up 'til now there was just nothing to do,but fill that herbal bowl.But now we can raise it up,like incense to heaven,like the smoke of incessant saints,celebrating the receipt of prayer.And to the ones who are repugnant,who've laid too long in their nasty bed,the healing only comeswhen you let it in to your own thick head.And there's one more thing I'd like to shout,don't let the door hit you on your way out.It was a day to remember,the 4th of November.
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Comment #30 posted by Paint with light on November 05, 2008 at 23:14:01 PT
I love these margins
Over at boing boing they have a link to a chart at MPP about yesterday's results.Sorry if this is redundant.I just like seeing the results.To borrow from Obama's speech Tuesday night.....The road ahead will be long,The climb will be steep.The results may not come in one year or in one term but we will get there.Thanks to all for the hard work.Equal with alcohol is all I ask.
http://www.boingboing.net/2008/11/05/chart-of-marijuanare.html
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Comment #29 posted by FoM on November 05, 2008 at 20:39:13 PT
EJ and Hope
Thank you. I am so happy so many people are happy tonight!
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Comment #28 posted by Hope on November 05, 2008 at 20:08:46 PT
"Chipped in on the present"
We sure did, didn't we?It's what you wanted... well we wanted it too.
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Comment #27 posted by E_Johnson on November 05, 2008 at 20:00:13 PT
Happy Birthday FoM
We all chipped in on the present.
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Comment #26 posted by FoM on November 05, 2008 at 16:44:38 PT
afterburner 
Thank you. That is so true. I wish I could put in words what I feel but it's hard for me to do. When Bush dropped the first bombs on Iraq I stared at the tv and thought we will never be respected in the world again. I felt so ashamed. I don't feel ashamed anymore. Most of the world celebrated the election of our new President too! It is very humbling. 
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Comment #25 posted by afterburner on November 05, 2008 at 16:31:33 PT
FoM #22
"This election has been the best present I ever received. We won! We won with our issues and with a new direction. I see a future again. Our economy isn't in good shape and that makes us slow down and value things we bypass when we're running on high speed. This will be a new age of awakening I think."A little birthday present for you:"Never before in the history of humanity has the delicate balance between the forces of destruction and creation been so perilously poised. We cannot afford to lose even the smallest opportunity to tip the balance in favor of intelligence, beauty, and love." --Laura Archera Huxley, from You Are Not The Target 
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Comment #24 posted by FoM on November 05, 2008 at 14:39:55 PT
potpal
Thank you very much. I hope your father had a nice Birthday too.
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Comment #23 posted by potpal on November 05, 2008 at 14:10:39 PT
Happy Birthday FOM
A day late but what the hemp...today is my father's birthday...hope, right, hope you had a great day...indeed.http://www.gbcollects.com/hb.mp3 
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Comment #22 posted by FoM on November 05, 2008 at 14:05:27 PT

 greenmed 
Thank you. I am not a stuff person. That doesn't mean that I don't like nice things but what is important to me money can't buy. This election has been the best present I ever received. We won! We won with our issues and with a new direction. I see a future again. Our economy isn't in good shape and that makes us slow down and value things we bypass when we're running on high speed. This will be a new age of awakening I think.
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Comment #21 posted by greenmed on November 05, 2008 at 13:43:22 PT

FoM
(belatedly) Wishing you a Happy Birthday, FoM, and hoping that all your wishes and hopes continue to come to fruition (With a Little Help from Your Friends!).
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Comment #20 posted by FoM on November 05, 2008 at 13:09:33 PT

dongenero
Thank you. It is nice to feel hopeful again. I want to thank you and everyone for all the comments and information. I have learned more then I ever thought I would since I've been doing CNews.
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Comment #19 posted by dongenero on November 05, 2008 at 13:07:06 PT

FoM , I'll take this opportunity...
to thank you again for everything you do here at cannabisnews.Happy Birthday! I'm glad all this good news surrounds you on your day.
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Comment #18 posted by FoM on November 05, 2008 at 12:57:25 PT

schmeff
Thank you. I am still so darn happy. 
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Comment #17 posted by schmeff on November 05, 2008 at 12:54:26 PT

Happy Days Are Here Again
There was a lot of excitement in the air yesterday. I was so wrapped up in the moment that one important milestone almost passed under my radar. I intend to correct that, although I'm a day late.Happy Birthday FOM
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Comment #16 posted by FoM on November 05, 2008 at 12:25:19 PT

Ted Kennedy
EJ, I love the man. He has done so many good things for people. Heck I love the Kennedy family. I always have.
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Comment #15 posted by FoM on November 05, 2008 at 12:23:51 PT

Rahm Emanuel: Chief of Staff
He voted for the Hinchey Amendment. That's good!http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/roll733.xml
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Comment #14 posted by E_Johnson on November 05, 2008 at 11:36:31 PT

I'm thinking about Ted Kennedy
He's been going through chemo. In the Boston Globe it says he spent election night at home with family and friends. He must be pretty happy right now. He was one of Obama's first major endorsements and he's always been a friend to our movement as well.
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on November 05, 2008 at 11:28:13 PT

Hope
Great article. I saw on the news last night the celebration in DC. It really is amazing how happy people are. Obama tried to be honest while campaigning and I think that is one reason why people are happy. We want an honest President. 
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Comment #12 posted by Hope on November 05, 2008 at 11:04:06 PT

I liked this one
In Nation's Capital, Pandemonium After Obama Victoryhttp://tinyurl.com/6kptg3
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Comment #11 posted by The GCW on November 05, 2008 at 10:38:10 PT

ALSO / Other victories
MPP and our allies across the country passed nine out of 10 marijuana-related ballot initiatives yesterday ... and also defeated a bad initiative. This makes yesterday the most successful day in MPP's 14-year history.MICHIGAN: MPP's medical marijuana initiative passed by 63% to 37% in Michigan, making it the 13th state to protect medical marijuana patients from arrest and jail. While any new medical marijuana law is a great victory, this one is especially notable, since Michigan is now the first medical marijuana state in the Midwest, and the second largest medical marijuana state in the country (with California being the largest). See http://www.stoparrestingpatients.org/ for details.MASSACHUSETTS: MPP's landmark initiative to decriminalize marijuana in Massachusetts passed by 65% to 35%. The measure removes the threat of arrest and jail for possessing an ounce or less of marijuana, replacing it with a $100 fine, which can be paid through the mail without lawyers or court appearances, just like a speeding ticket. This is the first time in history that voters have passed a statewide initiative to decriminalize marijuana! See http://www.sensiblemarijuanapolicy.org/ for details.CALIFORNIA: A measure that would have required the loss of public housing benefits for recent drug convictions lost by a 70% to 30% margin. (The measure would have also increased spending on prisons and law enforcement, as well as increased penalties for gang-related activities and other crimes.)CALIFORNIA: A measure that would have expanded the number of drug offenders diverted from prison into treatment — as well as improving the marijuana decriminalization law that was originally enacted by the state legislature in 1975 — lost by 60% to 40%. See http://www.prop5yes.com/ for details.BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA: A measure (which received $5,000 from the MPP grants program) to expand the non-residential zones where medical marijuana dispensaries can locate, issue zoning certificates, and bring Berkeley marijuana possession limits in line with recent court rulings passed by 62% to 38%. See http://www.yesonjj.com/ for details.FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: A measure (which received $3,972 from the MPP grants program) to make adult marijuana offenses the lowest priority for local law enforcement passed by 66% to 34%. See http://www.sensiblefayetteville.com/ for details.HAWAII COUNTY, HAWAII: A measure (which received $19,800 from the MPP grants program) to make adult marijuana offenses the lowest priority for local law enforcement passed by 53% to 39%. See http://www.projectpeacefulsky.org/ for details.FOUR DISTRICTS IN MASSACHUSETTS: Voters in four out of four state House districts passed four nonbinding public policy questions directing each district's state representative to vote in favor of legislation that would allow seriously ill patients to use medical marijuana if they have the approval of their physicians. See http://www.dpfma.org/ for details.
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on November 05, 2008 at 10:21:19 PT

dongenero and runruff
I really liked the videos.
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Comment #9 posted by Sam Adams on November 05, 2008 at 09:44:34 PT

liked this one
"A ballot question to decriminalize the possession of an ounce or less of marijuana passed by a landslide, dealing a defeat to prosecutors, sheriffs and police chiefs who lined up against the measure. With 70 percent of precincts in the state reporting, voters approved the marijuana proposal by 65 to 35 percent."http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/11/mass_voters_defeat_tax_questio.html
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Comment #8 posted by E_Johnson on November 05, 2008 at 09:37:41 PT

It's kind of like high school in a way
The opposition is acting like a high school cheerleader who just discovered that the football quarterback has dumped her for the nerdy stoner chick.
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Comment #7 posted by dongenero on November 05, 2008 at 09:34:32 PT

"It's looking like a beautiful day...."
One day like this - Elbow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQIdXKz4sE8&feature=related
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Comment #6 posted by runruff on November 05, 2008 at 09:15:57 PT

Slipping into the twilight zone!
Imagine if you were Rip Van Winkle and you just woke up today!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irZi18VR31M
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Comment #5 posted by dongenero on November 05, 2008 at 09:02:30 PT

Sam
Yea, that line was an unmistakable, bitter snap of the teeth. 
Poor prohibitionists. They deserve their misery today.Yes, it's a beautiful day. 
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Comment #4 posted by Sam Adams on November 05, 2008 at 08:53:16 PT

the Boston Globe
they are such jerks. Cannabis just got more votes than their beloved Obama, and yet they cling to their make-believe propaganda-world.People walking around with DOZENS of joints! That is so ridiculous it's silly. No one in the real world walking around with dozens of joints! It's preposterous, like some bizarre Woodstock fantasy. If they do catch someone with a bunch of dime-bags, they can easily arrest and charge him with distribution under the current laws, so the Globe people are not just crazy but they are delusional liars as well.
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Comment #3 posted by Sam Adams on November 05, 2008 at 08:48:33 PT

There is one more vote to go!
Don't forget, another BIG one is coming - Switzerland votes on total legalization on November 30th! If it passes it will go way beyond Holland. Mark your calendars!
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Comment #2 posted by The GCW on November 05, 2008 at 08:03:19 PT

Colorado freak show Amendment
One of the eye popping Amendments on the ballot in America yesterday was Amendment 48 which attempted to define a human being as a person when egg meets sperm.It failed as You would expect, especially in a BLUE state... (BLUE as of yesterday).It is a heads-up for other states though. I imagine they will look for a staunch republican red state next. They are going to have to find a state with a high percentage of ignoids...They weren't just trying to convince themselves... they were going to put it in the state constitution!-0-"Personhood" push rejectedhttp://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_10900171
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Comment #1 posted by mykeyb420 on November 05, 2008 at 07:46:42 PT

G W Bush
YOU ARE FIRED !!!can you leave today??
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