Pubdate: Wed, 13 Dec 2000
Source: Daily Free Press (MA)
Copyright: 2000 Back Bay Publishing, Inc.
Contact:  (617) 232-0592
Website: http://www.dailyfreepress.com/

POT PERHAPS OKAY?

The towns of Ispwich, Framingham, Winchester and Harwich have reduced 
penalties for marijuana possession to consequences similar to those 
for a traffic violation. This decriminalization mirrors legislation 
being passed or considered in communities and states nationwide as 
lawmakers wake up to a question too many people have traditionally 
answered with aggressive condemnation: what is wrong with the big bad 
weed?

Why should the penal system be overloaded with nonviolent drug 
offenders, when more dangerous cigarettes are audaciously lit, 
inhaled and enjoyed in public places everywhere? Why should a 
distinction be made between marijuana and tobacco? Perhaps because 
tobacco had been more profitable early on, as such profit makes a 
product socially acceptable or appealing. As long as an industry pays 
its taxes to the government, it can do no wrong in the eyes of 
lawmakers.

Is marijuana a gateway drug? Perhaps it may act as one, since its 
criminal status exposes users to an already illegal environment where 
other controlled substances are abused. Is marijuana highly 
addictive? The most commonly cited study, involving spider monkeys 
trained to self-administer doses of various drugs, has been 
determined by prominent scientists to be decidedly invalid. Finally, 
is marijuana a serious enough crime to justify minimum mandatory 
sentencing, prison overcrowding and condemnation of millions who have 
smoked up with no malicious intent? All this rhetoric can be argued 
over and over, with no side claiming a logical conclusion of 
correctness.

However, the indisputable fact remains that there is no death due to 
marijuana overdose on record, according to the National Organization 
for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. No marijuana opponent can claim 
that there have been no deaths related to tobacco or alcohol use and 
abuse.

Four towns in Massachusetts think the reasons for harshly punishing 
marijuana users are not good enough. Perhaps their decriminalization, 
stopping at fines instead of going all the way to legality, was also 
not good enough. But at least these communities are joining in the 
progression toward a society where harmless practices are accepted.
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