Pubdate: Thu, 16 Feb 2006
Source: Norwell Mariner (MA)
Copyright: 2005 Community Newspaper Company
Contact:  http://www2.townonline.com/norwell/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3840
Bookmark:http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm  (Decrim/Legalization)

POT POSSESSION DECRIMINALIZATION BILL APPROVED BY LEGISLATIVE PANEL

Setting up a conflict with the Romney administration, lawmakers on 
Monday advanced a longstanding Beacon Hill proposal to decriminalize 
the possession of enough marijuana for teens to roll dozens of 
joints. Approved 6-1 by the Mental Health and Substance Abuse 
Committee, the proposal would change the penalty for possessing 
marijuana to a $250 civil fine for anyone caught with less than an 
ounce of the drug, regardless of age. In addition, parents of those 
18 years and younger would be notified of the infraction. Currently, 
someone convicted of such an offense can be sent to jail for up to 
six months for the crime and pay a $500 fine for a first offense.

According to Lea Palleria Cox of Concerned Citizens for Drug 
Prevention Inc. and a bill opponent, an ounce of marijuana equals 
roughly 57 joints. The issue has been a source of contention for 
years in the Legislature, with the late Sen. Charles Shannon as its 
biggest advocate. Lawmakers in the past have included a similar 
provision in the budget, only to have it vetoed by former Acting Gov. 
Jane Swift. Gov. Mitt Romney is also a likely opponent to the 
proposal; Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey has expressed her opposition to 
proposal, saying it could treat marijuana lightly under the law, and 
Romney's spokesman said lawmakers should remain tough on drugs.

"Governor Romney believes we should enforce the laws against drugs, 
and that we be should be careful not to suggest that we are softening 
our view on marijuana use," Eric Fehrnstrom, Romney's director of 
communications, said in a statement. "It is important that we 
continue to send a message to young people that drugs are bad for you."

But advocates of decriminalization say the 11 other states that have 
taken a similar path, including California, New York, and Nebraska, 
have seen no negative affects, and point to the results of 
non-binding ballot questions in 2000, 2002, and 2004 when 63 percent 
of voters supported the initiative in 19 Massachusetts legislative 
districts. Being pushed by the Drug Policy Forum of Massachusetts, 
advocates cite a 2002 report by Boston University Economist, Jeffrey 
Miron that estimated marijuana possession arrests and court 
processing costs for the state at $24.3 million a year. Committee 
Co-Chairwoman Rep. Ruth Balser (D-Newton) said kids who are caught 
with marijuana often lose their chance at going to college because 
they have a criminal record.

"We don't want to ruin someone's life because of a stupid mistake," 
she said. "We're not saying it's a good thing to use marijuana," 
added Sen. Steven Tolman (D-Brighton) co-chairman of the committee. 
"But it could ruin a kid's future."

Rep. Brian Wallace (D-South Boston) the lone opponent during today's 
committee vote, said the use of alcohol and marijuana often leads to 
the use of more harmful and addictive drugs, and for that reason, 
believes the penalties should remain tough. Other opponents agree 
that marijuana is a gateway to other drugs and is sending the wrong 
message to teenagers.

"This flies in the face of trying to keep young people off drugs," 
said William Breault of the Main South Alliance for Public Safety in 
Worcester. "But this is what we have to deal with now with this 
liberal state government." 
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman