Framingham Police Chief Steven Carl said the bill would "unnecessarily endanger the public in the big picture."

"On a daily basis, we deal with the issue of alcohol and driving when intoxicated...and now we’re going to say it’s easier to use marijuana?" Carl said.

Carl said judges are the appropriate caretakers to determine how to punish marijuana offenders. Many first-time offenders, he said, have their cases continued without findings.

Milford Police Chief Thomas O’Loughlin said the bill would send a mixed message to young adults.

"If the age is 18, are we sending messages to kids that are different, (that) you can’t have that can of beer but you can have five or six joints in your pocket, that’s OK?" O’Loughlin said.

He questioned how the bill would be enforced, saying many of the offenders would not end up paying the civil fines.

State Rep. Karyn Polito, R-Shrewsbury, a member of the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Committee, said the bill "sends the wrong message."

"I think it’s a very narrow group of people that want the passage of this law," said Polito, who was not present for the committee’s 6-1 vote.

Fellow committee member Richard Ross, R-Wrentham, said he dropped his initial opposition to the bill.

"The more I heard about how even a small infraction follows someone for the rest of their lives, and (marijuana) has become such a prevalent use in society, it seemed like an unfair tag to stick on somebody," Ross said.

Eleven other states have decriminalized possession of marijuana to some extent, according to Whitney Taylor, the executive director of the Drug Policy Forum of Massachusetts.

Source: Metrowest Daily News (MA)
Author: Emelie Rutherford, Daily News Staff
Published: Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Copyright: 2006 MetroWest Daily News
Contact: mdnletters@cnc.com
Website: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/

Related Articles & Web Site:

DPFMA
http://www.dpfma.org/

Legislative Panel Backs Bill To Decriminalize
http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21593.shtml

Time for Serious Talk About Pot
http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20901.shtml

Thanks for writing to RunRuff. Thanks for standing up for the truth. It takes refreshing everyday.

Jerry Sisson #66424-065, FMC Devens, Federal Medical Center, P.O. Box 879, Devens MA 01434

NORML affiliated Attorney Matt Abel did an outstanding job arguing my case in court today. Unfortunately the judge declined to grant any motions to dismiss and moved the case ahead to trial. Of course this is disappointing but there are many positive notes to report.

The prosecutor appears to be pretty much going through the motions, doing his job to the best of his ability but without a whole lot of enthusiasm or conviction that justice is being served by continuing this dog & pony show. He told Matt and I that he has no desire to press for any jail time, merely fines and costs. He even raised the possibility that there could be NO fine at all, simply a conviction. He also said he has now gone as low in charging me as he is lawfully able. I told him that within the newly enacted Michigan Pupil Protection Act, which was intended to keep sex offenders out of schools, is a list of offenses that result in MANDATORY license revocation. And there just below Lewd & Lascivious Public Behavior and Gross Indecency Between Males is, Any Marijuana offense. I let him know that as glad as I was to learn that I'm not looking at any jail time and as much as I don't want to pay any fines, it is maintaining my professional credential and my pension that I'm most worried about. The prosecutor didn't say a whole lot in response to that but he did appear genuinely sympathetic. Matt seemed to believe that the County is still open to negotiating some sort of deal that will allow them to save face.

I on the other hand am not particularly interested in negotiating. I'll listen to any offer and who's to say if I won't weenie out in the end. But at this point I just don't see a whole lot to be gained by taking any deal and a whole lot to lose. And you know, when I hired Matt and we agreed on a fee, he told me it would cover this case as far as we could push it, "even to the Supreme Court." OK, I haven't been to Washington, D.C. in years.

The judge didn't seem particularly hard nosed either. He didn't grant any of our motions of course, but he didn't seem outraged that we would ask.

There was really only one motion that was realistically in question at this level--whether or not Probable Cause was established for a search. That was dealt with first and after that the entire thing took on the air of a college debate. Pretty much what would be expected. Basically the judge ruled the question of whether or not Probable Cause had been established had already been adequately argued by my court appointed attorney. Well, no it wasn't adequately argued. I suggested several angles to the court appointed attorney and asked him to use them to challenge Probable Cause and he didn't argue any of them. Bottom line though, as far as Due Process is concerned, I'd had my chance and the judge refused to re-open the argument. No great surprise.

After that we spent another hour going over several other motions Matt had filed. Proper scheduling, Nomenclature (stalk or stem? Sativa or Indica?), Compelling gov't interest, Constitutionality among others. We've all heard them before. The judge refused to bite on any of them. Again, no surprise, those are really questions to be determined at the Appellate level. Just needed to be introduced at the District Court level in order to leave them open to appeal at the next levels.

Once again the judge passed the buck. Said it was up to the Legislature to repeal law. Matt pointed out that it is up to the Judiciary to oversee the Legislature, at least make them "play fair" and follow their own scheduling scheme but again, the good judge refused to take the bait. This is what pisses me off the most in the Big Picture--this passing of the buck. The judges say it is up to the legislature and refuse to act, the legislature says there is no call from the judiciary to act. The Feds continue the WOD, Inc saying there is no demand from the states to back off, the states say they can't legalize because it violates federal law. The city councils say it is up to the legislature so they won't act, the legislature say the city councils aren't acting so there is no demand. No one wants to be the one to break the stalemate. The mad, marching mothers have them all intimidated.

At this time, trail will be "60 to 75 days." Matt suggested--jokingly--that we hold off until summer so we could all head down to the beach. Judge laughed. 60-75 days puts us into late April, early May. Weather still pretty iffy over here, Lake Michigan shore tends to lag a bit behind central and eastern part of state warming up in the spring. Can't control weather but can promise an event will be planned at Willow Ranch to coincide with trial. Hope to have good showing at trail, hope to pack courtroom to send a strong message.

Judge already put Matt on notice that he is most likely to squelch attempts at Jury Nullification. It would be unethical for me to point out that there are many ways of communicating with a jury besides a direct appeal to nullify. It would be even more unethical for me to point out that packing the court room with supporters is one.

Thanks to those who were able to come to court today to support me. Your presence was much appreciated.

Probably the biggest thing actually happened after the hearing was over and we were back out in the lobby. A reporter from the Kalamazoo Gazette & the Herald-Palladium (St. Joseph) was present for most of the hearing. She interviewed Matt, Amy and myself. No idea how sympathetic she will be--"she seemed nice enough," are famous last words of too many in our movement. But she gave a good listen to my pitch. I will post her story to our list once it is published.

OK, folks, with all due modesty AND candor, this is where the rubber hits the road. Regardless of how sympathetic the article is, once it comes out I could really use a flood of letters to the editor. I'll post appropriate URL's at same time I post stories. Thank you in advance.

I'm feeling fairly positive, even with the recognition that the chances of being convicted on this are pretty significant. Not particularly enthusiastic about the prospect but I'm taking the longer view. As Adam B pointed out at our last MI-NORML state quarterly meeting, and again with all due modesty, I am (or would like to be) the poster boy for how the WOD, Inc destroys the lives of professional, productive, tax paying, other wise law abiding citizens. The damage that the state is doing to me by continuing with this ludicrous prosecution, clearly retaliatory for refusing to roll over to an illegal and unwarranted search, is several orders of magnitude greater than any damage that I have done to society, my family or myself by any actual use of cannabis. I am willing to milk all the publicity out of this as possible as it can only benefit our movement in driving home the damage the WOD, Inc does to ordinary, productive citizens. Not only is it costing the state scads of money to pursue this case, but it has rendered me virtually unemployable meaning I no longer can pay my fair share of taxes. A big thank you to the rest of you who are now forced to pay my share to maintain roads, schools and public services.

Thanks again for the continuing show of support. And I promise again not to abuse the sentlte & EfSDP lists in particular by making regular lengthy postings like this of what are in essence personal issues. Although I'd like to believe there are larger issues here than just my own personal woes. Anyway, please feel free to contact me off list if you desire further information. Other than that, and unless someone tells me to knock it off, I will post again only if/when there are any significant developments and then will strive to be brief.

Please feel free to forward this message in part or whole.

Greg Francisco Member LEAP.org Member EfSDP.org Member MI-NORML.og Volunteer lte writer MAPINC.org Productive, tax-paying, otherwise law abiding citizen of the USA who still believes in the Bill of Rights and our precious American freedoms

They're not even "people who abuse substances". They are just "substance abusers".

The "Abusers" are the one's who destroy and beat and inprison. The PEOPLE ABUSERS. The woman is a "people abuser" and she supports other "people abusers".

They finally realized regular people were seeing that comment as what it was....a way of dicrediting, if at all possible, through wild accusations, anyone who disagrees with them. There childishness and pure nastiness was showing clearly to everyone...so this sounds "nicer"?

Ho hum.

But I don't mind this so much. I AM an advocate for what SHE chooses to call a "substance abuser" which really means "consumer". Good for me.

The article doesn't mention the fact that Mass. citizens have repeatedly voted "yes" to decriminalize MJ in local referendums, I think it's been going on for several years. In fact, I think the city of Framingham voted to decriminalize by 2 to 1!

No it's better to send the message that beer is OK. It's better to have real brain dead people, because then they don't argue against such insanity as Prohibition. It's better to have your brain pemanently put to sleep through consistent alcohol use, than to wake it up with cannabis. Beer drinkers cheer football and war, cannabis users may cheer football (doesn't make sense to me, but I am no Roman) but they don't for the most part cheer war.

Oh now that's really it isn't it? The 'mixed message' is really about whether the fat politicians can convince their youth to fight a war to fill their coffers.

Alcoholics often 'lead normal lives'. They get up every morning without thinking, go to work without thinking, work all day long without thinking, go home and have some more beer. No thinking involved at all. Same thing every day, doesn't bother them because THEY ARE BRAIN DEAD!

You ever listen to our own president slur his words? Between the cocaine, and the alcohol, I dare say there's not much left of 'ol George. Without someone to tell him what to say he is one dumb SOB. But there's no 'mixed message' there? No it's quite clear; Our nation is in the hands of stupid people, and a college degree can be purchased for those who can't quite reach past 'Dick and Jane' in their academic achievements, just ask the Bushes.

The fact that there is intelligent life in the United States after 9/11 is another seed they'd not like to grow. Well the Truth is one tree they can't cut down, no matter how much they try.

"My momma always used to say; 'Stupid is as stupid does."

The DEA should hire her to write news stories, she could mix up enough information in one sentence to keep the facts clouded for years.

It says "researchers"... do you really belive that these "researchers" believed that these dead prison inmates had only ever smoked marijuana and had never done any harder substances?? Give me a break! The quickest way to dispute this kind of crap is to immediately say "show me this research---give me the citations." I think you'd quickly find that they cannot cite the alleged "research."

We are trusted to use alcohol and prescription drugs responsibly. Many fail. The smackdown involved in keeping people from scratching the itch, whatever it may be, is not in keeping with our most basic rights. Maybe someday we will have a thoroughly automated mass transit system...so that the inebriated don't need to be trusted to act responsibly for the most part. How many 1000's of people go to football games and have way enough beer to be considered drunk, and then at the end go pile into their cars and hit the highway en masse? That is tolerated with regularity. Few are "punished" before something horrible has already happened. No one anywhere can equate cannabis use with the carnage and destruction of alcohol abuse and bear it out with facts. Not even close. It's just all so stupid.

Cannabis users don't need to be punished.

Thinking of you every day RunRuff!

Medical marijuana is bad for patients

A doctor spoke to different churches in Tulare County about the effects of marijuana. He said it kills brain cells.

The doctor said that researchers did autopsies on deceased inmates in prison, and found the brains of inmates who had taken marijuana had turned to mush. They had lost the ability to feel anything.

So naturally if you are taking marijuana, your senses are deadened and you won't feel anything, which is why some doctors prescribe marijuana for pain. That's wrong, and I believe any doctor who prescribes marijuana as medicine ought to lose their license. ELLEN WOOTEN

Visalia

Actually, it IS easier to use cannabis. It would be a lot easier on society, too. Here's why. IMHO:

Alcohol weakens the mind, while uninhibiting the soul. Cannabis strengthens the soul, while uninhibiting the mind.

Go figure why alcohol is legal while cannabis is not.

And I think it's a very narrow minded group of people that do not what the passage of this law.

Cops stay out of it. It's is only an opinion that things would get worst. Let's try it and see. Cops are there to enforce the law, not make them. Okay, we understand guys that its your salary on the line and if you didn't have cannabis users to police you'd be working as a security guard somewhere.

What mixed single do we send when we take an 18 year old and train them to kill people then send them to a country to practice for a while before they return home (well, some of them) to lead a quiet life, some with aspirations to be a politician?

Press Release: Open Letter To All Media & People Everywhere...911 Truth and Super Third Party News...Please Forward Widely

All group owners and members please see note and information at the end of the press release

Press release: Americans are noticing some networks are allowing a little truth to come out, when it comes to the corrupt Bush administration.

To those in media who care what happens to "US," and are standing tall, thank you, on behalf of "We The People" from everywhere.

To the rest of you, please, choose your sides wisely....Peace or perpetual war should not be a hard decision to make

Time is short and what drives and is behind the corrupt administration will surely fall, very soon.

Very few people are still being fooled and our majority grows daily. Even those within organized religion have been coming out by the masses.

Many churches want out from under the 501c3, as they too, are ready to speak out.

Finally, real truth and all that oppresses people and the planet is getting some light.

The fence sitters are jumping off and even the old schooled Christians are beginning to see what has been done with trickery for generations.

Fox news is very disturbing and disheartening by their stance in trying to keep up with all the deception.

Fox news and especially, Bill O'Reilly, have been boycotted by many, who are very aware, alert and angry.

Click here: News Hounds: We watch FOX so you don't have to. http://www.newshounds.us/

This is extremely necessary due to our dangerous state of being.

Bill the shill and his agenda is a serious threat to America.

Until our history books read true, we have no right to be proud to be Americans.

Most educated people know the Indians were not really happy with the pilgrims, as we were led to believe as children.

Americans, were the bad guys, even back then. We always have been, actually, then we lie about it and put it in books for the kids, to continue the many deceptions we stand for.

No wonder everyone in other countries hate "US."

We don't even like ourselves. Not those of "US" who are knowledgeable and awake, anyway.

We even start our children out with letting them know lying is okay, santa claus, being the first lie. An anagram for satan and part of the illusion and deception.

Then removing prayer (morality) from school and in came drugs, legal and illegal. What did we expect to happen?

The well goes deep and you in media know what's going on, maybe better than the most knowledgeable of "US."

You have loved ones and children, too. You and yours will not be safe, either, if we allow this evil empire to continue much longer.

Here's some pictures of Bush and Abramoff to add to the pile of lies and corruption.

How could Bush even think about lying about knowing him?...Lie after lie...

How can anyone like O'Reilly expect "US" to take this lying down and keep buying more lies?

The news reporting the white house not releasing these pictures is a mystery, as they are all over the net.

Click here: Photos Of Bush And Abramoff http://www.rense.com/general69/phots.htm

"We The People United Movement" We are many Political and Patriot Groups joining together, to help right the wrongs in America..."United We Will Stand"

Marsha McClelland...Founder Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

"On a daily basis, we deal with the issue of alcohol and driving when intoxicated...and now we’re going to say it’s easier to use marijuana?" Carl said.

AHEM . . . http://tinyurl.com/84kpm

- - -

Contact: Law Enforcement Against Prohibition

27 Austin Road

Medford, MA 02155

(781) 393-6985

info@leap.cc

Jack A. Cole Executive Director (781) 393-6985 jackacole@leap.cc

Lincoln Taggart Administrative Director (781) 393-6985 lincoln.taggart@leap.cc

Allison Silva Program Associate (781) 393-6985 allison.silva@leap.cc

Mike Smithson Speakers Bureau (315) 243-5844 speakers@leap.cc

Peter Christ Treasurer christ@leap.cc

John A. Gayder Secretary gayder@leap.cc

Edward Ellison Director - The United Kingdom ellison@leap.cc

Jerry Cameron Director cameron@leap.cc

Eleanor Schockett Director schockett@leap.cc

Howard Wooldridge Director wooldridge@leap.cc

http://leap.cc/contact.htm

Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition (MASS CANN)

P.O. Box 266

Georgetown, MA

01833-0366

http://www.masscann.org/

Phone: 781-944-2266

Email: masscann@pobox.com

National Organization for the Reform of the Marijuana Laws (NORML)

Massachusetts Lawyer List here:

http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?wtm_view=legal&Group_ID=4543

for NORML media requests, contact:

Allen St. Pierre

1600 K Street, N.W.

Suite 501

202-483-5500 x107 (w)

202-484-0057 (f)

media@norml.org

- - -

Radio Contacts:

http://www.superpages.com/yellowpages/C-Radio+Stations/S-MA/T-Boston/

TV contacts:

http://www.superpages.com/yellowpages/C-Television+Stations/S-MA/T-Boston/

see also: http://www.lowellrepublicancitycommittee.org/LinkInfo.html

from: http://www.framinghamma.org/web/pages/Directory.htm

Steven B. Carl

508-620-4927

Police@framinghamma.gov

sbc@framinghamma.gov

Police Headquarters

1 William Welch Way

Framingham, MA 01702

(Dept) Health

Bob Cooper

Health@framinghamma.gov

Robert.Cooper@framinghamma.gov

150 Concord Street

Room 221

Framingham, MA 01702

Fax 508-620-4833

508-620-4827

Selectmen’s Office Selectmen@framinghamma.gov

150 Concord Street

Room 121

Framingham, MA 01702

Fax 508-620-5910 508-532-5400

Human Relations Commission Edwina Weston-Dyer, Chair 508-620-4850

Government Access Television Ron.Rego@framinghamma.gov

150 Concord Street

Room B15

Framingham, MA 01702

Ron Rego

508-875-8588

- - -

bears repeating . . . Massachusetts Lawyer List:

http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?wtm_view=legal&Group_ID=4543

The more he "heard". And where do you think he "heard" about this? Not among his fellow politicians. He heard it through the "grapevine". Is the internet the "grapevine"? The Cannabis movement is like a Sunami set off by the destructive force of Prohibition. It's wiping out lies and waking up a lot of people to the destruction caused by Prohibition.