cannabisnews.com: New Pot Policy Puts Restraints On Local Enforcement










  New Pot Policy Puts Restraints On Local Enforcement

Posted by CN Staff on January 31, 2009 at 06:44:43 PT
By Rob Barry 
Source: Medford Transcript 

Medford, MA -- If you light up a joint while walking down High Street, not much is likely to happen to you.Now that ballot Question 2 has taken effect, cities and towns across the commonwealth are scrambling to figure out how to enforce a new set of civil penalties for small quantities of marijuana. Amidst all the uncertainties, many communities have simply halted punishing small-time pot users.
“When somebody draws up a ballot question, nobody takes the time to define the impact of what that change will be,” said Mayor Michael J. McGlynn. “There are questions around this question that are ambiguous.”As of Jan. 2, Massachusetts became one of 12 states that have decriminalized marijuana possession to some extent. The new civil penalties for possession of less than 1 ounce include a $100 fine and forfeiture of one’s stash for those over 18 years of age. Minors will receive the same fine and be required to attend drug education classes.The ballot question did not give police a clear mechanism to enforce the law, but it did provide cities and towns an option to set their own policies on smoking pot in public. Resolutions are expected to be debated in city and town halls across the commonwealth.“We need to do what we can to make sure this doesn’t run amok,” said City Councilor Paul Camuso. “Right now you can get a call from the Outback that someone’s smoking a joint and eating a steak and what can you do, give ‘em a $100 fine?”Since small-time possession is a civil matter, police cannot require a suspect to produce identification. Unless an offender is operating a motor vehicle or smoking in some situation that could be considered criminal, he can give any name he chooses.“He can tell us his name is Donald Duck,” said Sgt. David Montana, of the Medford Police Drug Unit. “If you’re drinking in public, I can lock you up. With this thing here, I can’t do a thing.“The other day we found a kid with less than an ounce on him and some needles,” he continued. “My guys in the drug unit took the stuff from him, got his name and that was it.”Montana said he didn’t expect Question 2 to pass. Because of how vague the rules are, he said it didn’t seem like the authors of the legislation even thought it would pass.In Boston, Montana said police are issuing fines from the motor vehicle citation books. He said they check the “other” box and write in the offense.“Around here, we haven’t come up with anything yet,” said Montana. “The way we understand it, we have no right to ask them [what] their name is. And we normally don’t arrest people with small amounts of marijuana.”Montana said the law probably wouldn’t change much about the way the drug unit operates. In general, marijuana has not been at the top of the unit’s priorities. Montana said the larger problems in Medford are OxyContin and heroine.In his 29 years at the drug unit, Montana said he’s never seen anyone sent to prison for possession of small amounts.“Our officers use discretion,” said Chief of Police Leo A. Sacco Jr. “Very few people in the city of Medford have ever been arrested for the possession of one marijuana cigarette or a little — what’s called a dime bag.”Since the penalties have changed, police officers have not issued any citations. Local officials are still waiting to hear back from the State House on a mechanism for enforcing what many consider a half-baked piece of legislation.The Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), which operates out of Washington D.C., sees the legislation as a step in the right direction.“My organization was one of the main supporters of Question 2,” said Dan Bernath, a spokesperson for the MPP. “My organization believes that there are some serious problems with marijuana prohibition and that we’d be better off to regulate it like alcohol or tobacco.”The MPP gave $750,000 to the Committee for Sensible Marijuana Policy’s campaign to pass Question 2.“I think that [voters] supported it for exactly the reason proponents have given when campaigning for this,” said Bernath. “It is a waste of taxpayer dollars to arrest and prosecute small marijuana users.”However, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley rallied against the initiative’s passage.“Decriminalization of marijuana will send a message to children and young adults that it is OK to use and abuse illegal substances,” Coakley said in a prepared statement in October. “Not only is there a direct link between marijuana use and juvenile crime, but marijuana use is also the primary cause for adolescent inpatient substance abuse treatment. Those of us in the law enforcement community, and perhaps more importantly, those who work directly with children and teenagers, are gravely concerned about the impact any decriminalization will have on our youth.” Bernath said jail and criminal records affect one’s ability to get jobs, student financial aid, housing assistance, an adopted child and food stamps. And issues like this can magnify when they affect young people who have a majority of their lives ahead of them.“I think they’ve reasonably agreed that marijuana possession is a crime but it ought not to be a criminal offense,” said Bernath. “It ought to be like a traffic ticket.”Source: Medford Transcript (MA)Author: Rob BarryPublished: January 29, 2009Copyright: 2009 Medford TranscriptContact: medford cnc.comURL: http://drugsense.org/url/4tzmwy6bWebsite: http://www2.townonline.com/medford/Related Articles:Police Adjust To Decriminalization of Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24444.shtmlDanvers Police Set To Enforce Marijuana Lawhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24431.shtml

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Comment #37 posted by FoM on February 03, 2009 at 11:26:17 PT
museman
QSMS: I feel like a stranger in the land I was born.I am so grateful because of you and other good folks on CNews I don't feel like a stranger anymore.
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Comment #36 posted by FoM on February 03, 2009 at 11:16:48 PT
museman
Very good. It's so true. How much longer? 
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Comment #35 posted by museman on February 03, 2009 at 09:50:29 PT
What You Gonna Do About Me?
Listen to the words.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENi04LAdmLY
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Comment #34 posted by FoM on February 03, 2009 at 07:06:01 PT
Michael Phelps
Marijuana isn't a banned substance for Olympic atheletes when they aren't in training. He is taking a break from all the work and discipline that goes into being an Olympic champion. Michael Phelps has always passed his drug tests so why is this even a problem?
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Comment #33 posted by Had Enough on February 03, 2009 at 07:00:08 PT
Poll in comment 32
Michael Phelps was allegedly caught on camera smoking pot. Do you think he should give back his Olympic medals?No….87%..500 votesYes…13%...74 voteshttp://www.wnem.com/index.html
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Comment #32 posted by fight_4_freedom on February 02, 2009 at 19:18:37 PT
Bong Toking Champion Michael Phelps 
http://www.wnem.com/index.htmlJust scroll down to the very bottom of the main page to vote.Michael Phelps was allegedly caught on camera smoking pot. Do you think he should give back his Olympic medals?Choice 	Votes 	Percentage of 376 Votes
Yes 	51 	14%
No 	325 	86%
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Comment #31 posted by FoM on February 02, 2009 at 12:37:50 PT

Had Enough 
That's good for Michael. 
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Comment #30 posted by Had Enough on February 02, 2009 at 12:15:55 PT

Phelps Backed by Sponsors After Marijuana Photo
MANCHESTER, England (AP) -Two of Michael Phelps' leading sponsors expressed support for the Olympic great Monday, a day after he apologized for being photographed in a British newspaper inhaling from a marijuana pipe. Luxury Swiss watchmaker Omega termed Phelps' actions a private matter and "nonissue." Swim wear manufacturer Speedo called the 23-year-old American a "valued member of the Speedo team." Phelps acknowledged "regrettable" behavior and "bad judgment" after the photo appeared Sunday in the tabloid News of the World. Speedo gave Phelps a $1 million bonus for his record eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics. Phelps joined Speedo in 2001, a year after making his Olympic debut in Sydney. He dominated the Beijing Games in the company's high-tech LZR Racer suit. "In light of Michael Phelps' statement yesterday, Speedo would like to make it clear that it does not condone such behavior and we know that Michael truly regrets his actions," Speedo, which is based in Nottingham, said in a statement to The Associated Press. "Michael Phelps is a valued member of the Speedo team and a great champion. We will do all that we can to support him and his family." Omega said it was "strongly committed" to its relationship with Phelps, calling his Beijing accomplishments "among the defining sporting achievements in the history of sport." "The current story in the press involves Michael Phelps' private life and is, as far as Omega is concerned, a nonissue," the company said. more…http://sports.myway.com/news/02022009/v1462.html

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Comment #29 posted by FoM on February 01, 2009 at 17:22:23 PT

John Tyler 
It does seem it's always about the money. 
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Comment #28 posted by John Tyler on February 01, 2009 at 17:00:42 PT

it's about the money
I wondered how long it would take. Michael has (forced maybe?) denounced his own cannabis use. It was announced that this was a “youthful indiscretion” and it was said that he would not do it again. It is feared that his lucrative endorsement deals might be jeopardized and his management people (agent, managers, PR people, etc.) could lose a valuable account.I bet he will be listed on celebstoner.com pretty quickly.
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Comment #27 posted by The GCW on February 01, 2009 at 15:31:11 PT

Coakley mistaken; IT'S A LIFE SAVING MESSAGE.
As a Christian who helped pass Question 2, I believe Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley is mistaken claiming, “Decriminalization of marijuana will send a message to children and young adults that it is OK to use and abuse illegal substances," One important component of Question 2 that doesn’t get mentioned will come in the form of more honest drug awareness programs which will lower hard drug addiction rates. Now it will be more difficult to brainwash students into believing lies, half-truths and propaganda concerning the relatively safe, socially acceptable, God-given plant cannabis (marijuana). Youth will be taught the truth; cannabis is not nearly as dangerous as honest hard drugs. How many citizens try cannabis and realize it's not nearly as harmful as taught in DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) type government environments? Then they think other substances must not be so bad either, only to become addicted to deadly herd drugs. The old lessons make cannabis out to be among the worst substances in the world, even though it's never killed a single person. The federal government even classifies cannabis as a Schedule I substance along with heroin, while methamphetamine and cocaine are only Schedule II substances. For the health and welfare of America's children and adults that message absolutely must change. Coakley might be missing the message but the message youth receive is that cannabis isn’t in the same category as addictive hard drugs, and that’s a life saving message.
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Comment #26 posted by unkat27 on February 01, 2009 at 11:22:03 PT

Cannabis Culture on Phelps
From cannabisculture.com:"He once described his life, saying: “All you do is eat, sleep, swim; eat, sleep, swim; eat, sleep, swim.”I understand exactly what he's saying. After a while of the "eat, sleep, work" monotony, a human needs to just let it go and enjoy to keep from feeling like a mindless robot. And as for ADHD, I agree. I suffer from something very similar to ADHD, in which my head begins to feel like it's bouncing between walls. Cannabis definitely helps me focus and concentrate on what I am doing. I only wish it were easier to find. Without it, I have to simply get used to the formative psychology which made me the fool that i am to be bounced between walls all the time. I hate it.Full Phelps article:http://www.cannabisculture.com/v2/news/olympic-champion-michael-phelps-caught-with-marijuana-pipe
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Comment #25 posted by FoM on February 01, 2009 at 11:08:28 PT

museman
I am concerned about the economy on one hand. Trucking is not trucking these days so it is natural for me to be concerned for us personally but on the other hand what a time this could be! I know that the hardest of times in my life have made the best memories. We will learn a lot over these years just ahead.
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Comment #24 posted by museman on February 01, 2009 at 10:58:34 PT

from #21
"We will have to see how petty the prohibitionists will be."Prohibition starts on the line labeled "petty" and then goes straight down hill into the vacuum of ridiculous."Petty" is the whole substance and reasoning behind prohibition. Of course if you believe in the dollar and the status quo over humanity, God, and Creation, then 'petty' is your basis in law, order, and all things exceptable in the narrow realm of the left-brained, right-winged, born again religilousness."Petty" is the M.O. of every cop/pig in amerika at this point. So petty that they have to invent new laws and ordinances for people to break, because the people are actually more law-abiding than the cops, lawyers, judges, politicians, and corporate lords. The biggest crime in amerika is poverty. No matter how you cut it. Poverty is maintained by the pettiness of mainstream status quo, so that regular people, born with nothing, are guaranteed to remain with nothing til they die (unless they kiss the right ass of course)- and if they complain too much, like speak out against the madness the soldiers of the feudal status quo will see them to court, and prison. If that doesn't stop them, well bullets are pretty cheap. And a fake heart attack is relatively easily done at this point as well.Imagining a new age without all this crap is getting harder and harder when the materialism of even the best of allies defeats real solution at every turn. When consumerism prioritizes itself over liberty and freedom, 'solution' is a fictional TV show watched by millions, actualized by none.Sorry John. Hate to think you died for nothing, Imagine might have been a hit song, but it bounced right off of amerikan consiousness (un-consciousnes). Blessed are the remnant, the handfull who will not give in. Blessed are the few, who will hold to their conviction to the death if necessary. Blessed are the courageous who hold truth above the mediocrity without regard for the immaturity of their fellows words, deeds, and actions. Blessed are the keepers of the world-denied wisdom, for their knowledge will heal the earth. Blessed are the poor, in material wealth, because they shall see the true Wealth of the Universe, and greet the benevolence of Eternity without the taint and corruption of the 'comfortable compromise and capitulation.'Blessed are the Conscious Cannabis users, for they can see truth, God, Creation, Humanity, Life, and the miraculous moment -and believe it.FREE CANNABIS FOR EARTH

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Comment #23 posted by FoM on February 01, 2009 at 10:16:01 PT

Phelps Acknowledges Photo Showing Him Smoking Pot
February 1, 2009URL: http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory?id=6780757
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Comment #22 posted by FoM on February 01, 2009 at 08:13:23 PT

John Tyler 
Very true.
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Comment #21 posted by John Tyler on February 01, 2009 at 08:06:33 PT

Re Michael again
Maybe this has been mentioned somewhere, maybe not. A big issue about this whole mini affair is that Michael’s story totally contradicts the prohibitionist propaganda that enjoying cannabis products makes you lazy, crazy and stupid. Here is a young man that has, through his hard work, and dedication reached the heights of athletic achievement. He is now rich, famous, and powerful. He has friends, and is an all around OK guy (in the best sense of the word). And yet he enjoys cannabis. This scenario doesn’t fit the prohibitionist word view (erroneous though it is), and I think they are going to try to make a “stink” about it, or maybe more to retaliate. Stay tuned. We will have to see how petty the prohibitionists will be.  

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Comment #20 posted by Hope on February 01, 2009 at 00:34:36 PT

Michael Phelps and George Obama
What I'm wondering. How are these developments going to hurt them? It appears it could hurt Phelps, not just losing endorsements, but banning him from participation in Olympic sports for four years... at least. And the country that George Obama lives in... is it Kenya? How punitive are they there? Severe punishments? Caning? Death? Surely not for such a small amount. Could it mean a really draconian sentence of some kind in that country? 
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Comment #19 posted by Hope on January 31, 2009 at 21:34:47 PT

SNL
Steve Martin looks so young.
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Comment #18 posted by Hope on January 31, 2009 at 21:32:35 PT

SNL
That Governor of New York skit was good... and so funny.
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Comment #17 posted by Hope on January 31, 2009 at 21:30:33 PT

Michael Phelps
I so support the young man's right to his life and so many, many, many, many people don't see anything that wrong with what he's doing, if that's even he.  
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Comment #16 posted by Hope on January 31, 2009 at 21:12:16 PT

It's getting bigger on Google.
It's hit Melbourne and New York.Bless him... I think. Some people sure want to cut you down hard if they don't like you having "all that" and "all".
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Comment #15 posted by Hope on January 31, 2009 at 21:03:07 PT

Oh boy...
The persecution, ridicule, schadenfreude and derision begin. The prohibitionists are going to be howling and ready to "burn" people.Bless us and somehow may we be victorious in peace.
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Comment #14 posted by FoM on January 31, 2009 at 20:08:07 PT

Michael
Maybe if this hits the news channels on tv he might talk about it. I hope we can grow up and face the fact that marijuana is here to stay. 
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Comment #13 posted by John Tyler on January 31, 2009 at 19:46:06 PT

Michael 2
I’m sorry to hear that Michael got “outed”, but so what if he does anyway. It’s normal. The pundits that are fretting should get over it.
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Comment #12 posted by Had Enough on January 31, 2009 at 18:58:52 PT

Michael
They say...it comes in three’s…with celebrities…who’s next…http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&q=michael+phelps&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ncl=1299467176&sa=X&oi=news_result&resnum=1&ct=more-results&cd=1’s 

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Comment #11 posted by FoM on January 31, 2009 at 18:41:06 PT

A Comment About Michael Phelps
I enjoyed watching Michael Phelps in China. He made me feel proud of America. He was on Jay Leno and he talked about having ADHD. He told Leno that he was put on Ritalin and then swimming helped him focus and not need to use Ritalin. Cannabis helps people with ADHD because it stops the mind from jumping around and a person can focus on something and put their heart into it. I believe that is why Michael uses Cannabis. It really is medical and it makes a person feel better.Michael Phelps' Mom Shares ADHD Advicehttp://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28830530/
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on January 31, 2009 at 16:30:43 PT

fight_4_freedom 
It sure hasn't hurt his lung capacity! There goes that theory! LOL!
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Comment #9 posted by fight_4_freedom on January 31, 2009 at 16:28:18 PT

Well, that doesn't surprise me
I mean, he attended the University of Michigan, which is located in Ann Arbor. Marijuana possession will only get you a small fine there. Hash Bash is held there yearly. Ann Arbor is a very cannabis friendly town. This is just another example of how you can still be successful while being a consumer of cannabis at the same time.
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on January 31, 2009 at 16:09:41 PT

Michael Phelps Smoking a Bong?
First it was George Obama and now Michael Phelps all in one day! Marijuana is everywhere!***Olympian Michael Phelps Caught Smoking Bong, Media Pressured to Kill PhotosPicture: http://extras.newsoftheworld.co.uk/downloads/phelps_big_0102.jpgSuper Olympian swimmer Michael Phelps has been caught in photographs depicting him partying and smoking a bong. The media is going crazy over the issue, calling Phelps a "pot head" and suggesting that his tens of millions of dollars in celebrity endorsements will now vanish. Corporate America, of course, doesn't want to associate itself with a pot smoker. So much for all the big corporate sponsorship deals.http://www.naturalnews.com/025489.html
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Comment #7 posted by FoM on January 31, 2009 at 14:29:22 PT

Sam
Don't get in trouble and have to go there. I've heard it isn't a nice place. LOL!
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Comment #6 posted by Sam adams on January 31, 2009 at 13:46:21 PT

medford
Medford, MA -- If you light up a joint while walking down High Street, not much is likely to happen to you.Nice town, I have to drive through there tonight...maybe I'll walk down High Street drinking a beer and smoking a joint. They'll probably send me to Gitmo for that. 
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Comment #5 posted by unkat27 on January 31, 2009 at 11:39:49 PT

Coakley is a Dope!
Coakley is just another example of the morons in high offices who believe all the prohibitionist lies without thinking it all through. She makes absolutely no connection between the illegality of cannabis and any lack of legal regulation that would control it like alcohol or tobacco, while taking it out of the hands of dealers who turn kids on to the harder stuff for easy money. I am so sick of stupid people in high government offices, i hope she and all her moronic ilk get axed real soon.If our new administration was really smart, they'd shut down the DEA, legalize cannabis and hemp, and use the billions in the drug-war chest for more important programs, to save people's lives instead of destroy them.
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Comment #4 posted by runruff on January 31, 2009 at 07:43:40 PT

Darvon
1400 not 14000 as I previously writ.
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Comment #3 posted by runruff on January 31, 2009 at 07:29:04 PT

We're sending "That's" to kids, ya'll!
“Decriminalization of marijuana will send a message to children and young adults [that]....... "[That] in making their career choices Lawyering and policing will not have unlimited opportunities as they have had in the past.[That] by rolling back prohibition America will be restoring our rights and privileges as outlined in the Constitution.[That] by rolling back prohibition we will save billions in unnecessary spending prosecuting peaceful people we should never have messed with in the first.[That] Martha Coakley is more concerned with her career and budgets as well as that of her colleagues than she is concerned about the rights of the "little" people.That] ending prohibition we are willing to hand them a future without a police state in it![That] money saved from this failed and cruel disaster could be used to spiff up their school programs or even fun healthy hot lunches instead of sending them nest door for a Big Mac and Coke!I could go on but you get my drift and will probably come up with half-dozen [That's] of your own.
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Comment #2 posted by LaGuardia on January 31, 2009 at 07:09:17 PT

Obama's half-brother arrested for pot in Kenya
One joint, according to the AP.http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iXthYuGm46O5BX6SvRTEF22633wwD96256500The MarketWatch article has additional information, such as that George Obama was also charged with resisting arrest and that he denies all of the charges.http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/obamas-half-brother-arrested-pot/story.aspx?guid={4D54EABD-B7A7-4F08-A163-4BC680E16FEE}&dist=msr_1
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Comment #1 posted by runruff on January 31, 2009 at 07:06:11 PT

Darvon was banned today!
Bringing us pain relief and death since 1957. 14000 deaths since 1957!How do these idiots determine when enough is enough? After 500 deaths? 1000 deaths? What is the acceptable number here? The commercial drug pushers treat us like laboratory rats!Cannabis Deaths- still 0
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