FALL RIVER -- A budding debate regarding the decriminalization of marijuana in the Bay State is forcing local enforcement officials to begin thinking about taking a position on the controversial issue. The Massachusetts General Court's Joint Mental Health and Substance Abuse Committee recently voted 6-1 in favor of a bill that would decriminalize possession of less than one ounce of marijuana. Instead of facing criminal charges for simple possession, the legislation calls for a civil fine of $250. State Rep. David Sullivan, D-Fall River, is a member of the joint committee and voted in favor of the bill. [continues 816 words]
FALL RIVER -- School Committee members, including Chairman Mayor Edward M. Lambert Jr., Wednesday admitted mistakes may have been made in the handling of Slade School Principal Frederick Cippolini's suspension. Cippolini, 59, told police he was a habitual crack cocaine user early last month while reporting an alleged assault. After a police investigation, both Cippolini and his friend, Timothy Mulcahy, were summonsed into court on assault and battery with a dangerous weapon charges. Although both criminal cases were dropped prior to their respective arraignments because neither would testify against the other, school officials were made aware of the situation about a month ago. [continues 1062 words]
BOSTON -- Attorney General Thomas Reilly recently held a summit with top law enforcement officials from northeastern states in an effort to deal pre-emptively with a growing methamphetamine problem moving rapidly across the nation. Although Massachusetts has seen a small amount of meth manufacturing and use, the powerfully addictive drug is currently rising to near epidemic levels in the South and Midwest. Kurt Schwartz, chief of the attorney general's criminal bureau, said the summit, held last week in Boston, was called to "begin to talk about the challenges methamphetamines present." [continues 538 words]
