cannabisnews.com: Police Should Simply Enforce Pot Law as Written





Police Should Simply Enforce Pot Law as Written
Posted by CN Staff on January 01, 2009 at 09:26:38 PT
Editorial
Source: Gloucester Daily Times
Massachusetts -- On Nov. 4, a majority of voters in Massachusetts chose to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana. Those in possession of less than an ounce of marijuana are no longer charged with a criminal offense but instead face a $100 fine.The new law officially takes effect tomorrow. Yet some police departments across the state say they are uncertain as to how to enforce it, noting they do not have the proper citations and raising other questions. Indeed, the state Executive Office of Public Safety and Security just Monday issued guidelines for police departments regarding local enforcement of the new mandates.
So, why is this so difficult? It's been nearly two months since 65 percent of Massachusetts voters, amid a record turnout, opted to change the law. Yes, law enforcement officials across the state opposed it, and we at the Times endorsed a "no" vote to the changes ourselves. But the voters indeed had their say, and won the day. Unlike some state lawmakers, we actually think that has to be the final word, and law enforcement officials have to recognize that as well.Under the new law, people caught with a small amount of marijuana will be forced to hand over the drug and pay a $100 fine. Those under 18 will be required to complete a drug awareness program or face a stiffer $1,000 fine. They can either pay a fine to a clerk or request a District Court hearing.It's apparent that the will of the voters was that simple possession of marijuana be treated as a relatively trivial matter: pay a small fine and be done with it.The best course for all local and state police, like it or not, is to simply enforce the law as written, and follow the orders of the voters who pay their salaries.Source: Gloucester Daily Times (MA)Published: January 01, 2009Copyright: 2009 Essex County Newspapers, Inc.URL: http://drugsense.org/url/t0Bx5qhvWebsite: http://www.gloucestertimes.com/Related Articles:Lawmen Decry New Mass. Law http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24391.shtmlQuestion Resurrects Old Debatehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24263.shtml
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Comment #3 posted by Hope on January 02, 2009 at 11:05:50 PT
In another thread
I was wondering about this "proper" citation business. They have different citations printed up individually for all the different individual offenses on the books? I think not. Instead, I sense more lying and deviousness.
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Comment #2 posted by tintala on January 01, 2009 at 19:21:27 PT:
They don't have the proper citations.... lol
Citations should'nt even be implemented then, that's still too archaic and shouldn't even be a concept because what's right is right thus the virtue is slowly coming to light.
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on January 01, 2009 at 09:44:44 PT
Amen To Common Sense
Life is not just black and white but many shades of gray. I hope we keep reasoning about issues in the front of our minds this new year. Reason, logic, common sense, humility and confidence are a few words I'd love to hear in 2009.
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