Pubdate: Wed, 23 Jul 2008
Source: Eagle-Tribune, The (MA)
Copyright: 2008 The Eagle-Tribune
Contact:  http://www.eagletribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/129
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n000/a054.html
Author: Steven S. Epstein

VOTE IN NOVEMBER TO CHANGE MARIJUANA LAW

TO the editor:

In Lawrence, Officer Tim Dube arrested five young men, not because 
they possessed marijuana, but because they exercised their 
Constitutional right not to consent to turn it over to him. While 
under the current statutory law, Officer Dube had the power to arrest 
them for three marijuana cigarettes does not make it just, nor a 
reasonable use of police resources.

This Nov. 4, voters can end such injustice by voting yes on Question 
2, the initiative petition for "An Act Establishing a Sensible State 
Marihuana Policy."

Had the law proposed by Question 2 been the law on Wednesday night, 
Officer Dube would have the power to search for the marijuana and 
seize the three cigarettes. He would not have the power to arrest, 
only the power to issue citations, for a civil offense with a civil 
penalty of $100. The $100 for each citation would go to the city or 
town where the offense occurred, in this case Lawrence, and Officer 
Dube would stay out on patrol, instead of at the station writing his report.

Steven S. Epstein

Georgetown
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake