Pubdate: Mon, 26 Jan 2009
Source: Patriot Ledger, The  (Quincy, MA)
Copyright: 2009 GateHouse Media, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.patriotledger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1619
Author: Richard Blaikie

PENALTIES FOR PUBLIC MARIJUANA SMOKING ARE WRONG

So, according to a Jan. 9 Ledger article ("S. Shore officials look to
punish pot use in public"), not a single citation has been written on
the South Shore under the state's new non-criminal marijuana law.

But already local cities and towns are looking to find ways to make
criminals out of otherwise law-abiding citizens. This $300 fine deal
sounds like harassment, plain and simple.

It just doesn't pass the smell test, pun intended.

Does anyone see the irony of what has gone on with tobacco
smoking?

When the politicians cracked down on all the public smokers, all the
smokers got pushed out of doors.

You can't go to a restaurant, bar, pub or even an office building
without pushing through a group of smokers.

But, now that marijuana is quasi legal, the politicians are going to
say, "Oh no, you can't smoke that stuff out of doors."

Well, I for one want to commune with my fellow smokers outside of
those bars and pubs, when I light a joint.

Our elected officials had best keep in mind that Referendum 2 was
passed by two-thirds of the voting public, not insignificant.

It's a new era. Most everyone has been exposed to marijuana use and
sees it as harmless.

Why don't the pols and law enforcement wake up and smell... the
buds.

Richard Blaikie

Quincy
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake