Pubdate: Wed, 10 Nov 2004
Source: Tri-Town Transcript (MA)
Copyright: 2004, Tri-Town Transcript
Contact: http://www.hiasys.com/contactus/contactus.html
Website: http://www.townonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2643
Note: This article in the West Roxbury Transcript  (MA)
can be found at the web site under the title:
"Rush Announces Neighborhood Office Hours For November"

PRO-MARIJUANA INITIATIVES SUPPORTED ACROSS THE BAY STATE

Pro-marijuana initiatives supported across the Bay State
Massachusetts  voters approved all 12 public policy questions that
proposed changing marijuana  policy. According to Associated Press
tallies, the questions won in all three  state Senate and nine House
districts, ranging from the South Shore to the  Berkshires.

Mass Cann  spokesman Steve Epstein predicted victory in every
district, noting that,  "Our unanimous results of 2000 and 2002
demonstrate that actual voters know that  marijuana use is not
sufficiently dangerous to justify handcuffing, booking and  criminal
prosecution, much less the $25 million or more annual taxpayer  expense.

"Massachusetts  voters, including those in Belmont, Gov. Romney's
place of residence,  overwhelmingly want the state to permit seriously
ill patients, with their  doctor's written recommendation, to possess
and grow small amounts of marijuana  for their personal medical use,"
said Epstein. Anne Paulsen, who is Romney's representative in the
General Court, is already a sponsor of effectuating legislation. Sen.
Richard Moore, Senate chairman of the  Committee on Health Care, as
well as reps. William Galvin, Kathleen Teehan and Peter Larkin were so
instructed. Montana voters also approved a  citizen initiative to
become the 11th state to pass into law such a policy. A measure
making possession of marijuana a civil violation, and requiring police
to hold a  cited person younger than 18 until released to a parent or
legal guardian or  brought before a judge, swept through the North
Shore with more than 60 percent  of the votes in the districts of
Senate Majority Leader Frederick Berry and Criminal Justice Committee
Chairman Thomas M. McGee. House Chairman James Vallee was instructed
as well, with more than 57 percent  of the votes in Medway and Franklin.

There was  similar support in three additional districts that approved
making possession of  less than one ounce of marijuana a civil
violation, subject to a maximum fine of  $100 and not subject to any
criminal penalties. Reps. Garrett J. Bradley of Hingham, Mark J.
Carron of Southbridge and Harold P. Naughton of Clinton were all so
instructed by more than two-thirds of the voters on these questions.

Voters in  the First Hampshire District of Rep. Peter V. Kocot
approved "regulating  the taxation, manufacture and sale of marijuana
to adults 21 and older,"  provided that sales outlets are
state-licensed, do not sell alcohol and are not  within 500 yards of a
school.

"Studies  show that almost half of adults have tried marijuana. These
are almost all good  people. Some are even politicians. Just this last
month, the studies show half a  million smoked in Massachusetts," said
Epstein. "We know them as friends,  relatives and neighbors, and we
don't think they should be arrested, and it is  time the Legislature
took the voters' advice." The 12  public policy questions were mounted
through the efforts of Mass Cann and the  Drug Policy Forum of
Massachusetts.
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MAP posted-by: Derek