Pubdate: Fri, 26 Sep 2008
Source: Boston Herald ( MA )
Copyright: 2008 The Boston Herald, Inc
Contact:  http://news.bostonherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/53
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n892/a11.html
Author: Madeline Webster

HIGH ON SUPPORT

Massachusetts being bankrolled for Question 2 is the culmination of
years of work by instate activists (Sept. 24). From 2000 to 2006,
Drug Policy Forum of Mass. and Masscann/NORML placed 30 pot-
decriminalization non-binding questions on the ballot in dozens of
towns and cities. Each time the citizens favored this reform by over
60 percent.

In the early 1990s, these instate activists began a legislative
campaign to stop the arrests. The late state Sen. Charles Shannon
sponsored SB-1121 in 2002.

The bill, which is nearly identical to Question 2 and makes possession
of less than an ounce a civil $100 penalty, was approved earlier this
year by the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse. Out-
of-state funding has merely granted Bay Staters the ability to enact a
reform that already is supported by Beacon Hill's own experts.

Madeline Webster,

Arlington
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake