Pubdate: Sun, 11 Jan 2009
Source: Boston Globe (MA)
Copyright: 2009 Globe Newspaper Company
Contact: http://bostonglobe.com/news/opeds/letter.aspx?id=6340
Website: http://www.boston.com/globe/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/52
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n009/a02.html
Author: Dan Bernath

OFFICERS CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO ENFORCE THIS

CONTRARY TO Sam Allis's assertion about the new law that reduces 
penalties for small marijuana violations, the source of hilarity is 
not the way Question 2 was written, but the way some law-enforcement 
officials feign confusion over it ("Smoky subject," The Observer, Jan. 4).

The law, passed by 65 percent of Bay State voters, makes adult 
possession of an ounce or less of marijuana a civil, rather than 
criminal, violation punishable by a simple $100 fine.

We trust law-enforcement officers to make life-or-death decisions 
every day about whether a given situation warrants discharging their 
weapon. But Allis, and apparently many law-enforcement officials, 
worry that Massachusetts cops lack the ability to judge whether a 
confiscated marijuana sample weighs about the same as a pack of cigarettes.

Oh, please. Eleven states for decades have had laws similar to the 
one that went into effect Jan. 2 in Massachusetts. Police in those 
states have proved they're professional and competent enough to 
enforce those laws. Surely Massachusetts voters should be able to 
expect the same from those sworn to serve and protect them.

Dan Bernath

Assistant director of communications

Marijuana Policy Project

Washington 
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