Pubdate: Fri, 01 Jul 2005
Source: Metrowest Daily News (MA)
Copyright: 2005 MetroWest Daily News
Contact:  http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/619
Author:  Steven S. Epstein
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

POT ARRESTS UNDERSTATED

In response to "Time for serious talk about pot," on Saturday, June 
25: Excellent editorial, except for the understatement of marijuana 
arrests attributed to the Criminal Justice Policy Coalition.

NORML has tracked this issue for the years  1995 to 2002 
(http://www.norml.org/pdf_files/state_arrests_2004/NORML_MA_Marijuana_Arrests.p 
d f) and found 7,626 marijuana possession cases in 2002, of which 
1,816 were  juveniles.

If the news from the federal agency is  correct, our police must be 
looking the other way very often, perhaps because  they agree with 
most voters that arrest and criminal prosecution is too harsh.

STEVEN S. EPSTEIN

Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition NORML

Georgetown
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