A bill that would reduce the punishment for marijuana possession in Massachusetts passed the Joint Committee on the Judiciary after a hearing last week, moving it one step closer to getting on the ballot in November.

The legislation would decriminalize possession of less than an ounce of marijuana, and reduce the punishment for "personal use" of marijuana from six months' probation and a driver's license suspension to a $250 fine.

Supporters of decriminalization in the State House and from outside advocacy organizations maintain the bill would not lead to increased drug use and would dole out a punishment proportionate to the offense, while opponents say the bill will lead to increased use of harder drugs like heroin.

[continues 585 words]