cannabisnews.com: Lesser Charges Sought for Marijuana Possession





Lesser Charges Sought for Marijuana Possession
Posted by CN Staff on November 20, 2007 at 07:42:54 PT
By Stefanie Tuder
Source: Daily Free Press
Boston -- A Massachusetts lawmaker is backing an act to lessen charges for marijuana possession based on a 2003 study conducted by a former Boston University professor.The act proposes a $100 civil fine for possessing less than an ounce of marijuana. Under Massachusetts law, possession of marijuana is a criminal offense and may lead to jail time.
Jeffrey Miron, a former College of Arts and Sciences economics professor who studied the budgetary implications of legalizing marijuana in the state, estimates that Massachusetts would save $120.6 million per year in government spending on criminal justice enforcement if marijuana is decriminalized."I basically looked at the fraction of arrests in Massachusetts that are for marijuana possession and took that possession and multiplied it by the police budget in Massachusetts," Miron said.Sen. Patricia Jehlen (D-Middlesex) has filed the bill four times without success."It got a favorable report from the Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse the first time it was filed under my predecessor," Jehlen said. "My bill went to the Judiciary Committee and never came out."The bill is modeled after a referendum question that was supported by 67 percent in Somerville and by a wide margin in 52 other Massachusetts communities in 2005.Many states have enacted laws to decriminalize marijuana, including California, Maine, New York and North Carolina."In a rational universe, people would read [Miron's study] and say, 'Let's spend our money better on public safety and really make a difference,'" Jehlen said.BU School of Public Health associate dean Leonard Glantz said the decriminalization of marijuana may prevent users from having their lives destroyed once they are involved in the criminal justice system.People with criminal records are ineligible for government student loans and military service. Local, state and federal employees found in possession of marijuana are also at risk of losing drivers licenses, the right to vote and custody of children.Jehlen said the bill would be more likely to pass as part of a comprehensive reform package on sentencing practices.Miron said he does not foresee a change in drug laws, but said the bill is worth the effort."So far there's been a lot of discussion and various studies similar to mine, but we haven't seen much change," he said. "I don't see any reason why it'll be much different this time, but you've got to try."Source: Daily Free Press (Boston U, MA Edu)Author: Stefanie TuderPublished: November 20, 2007Copyright: 2007 Back Bay Publishing, Inc.Contact: letters dailyfreepress.comWebsite: http://www.dailyfreepress.com/CannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml
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Comment #16 posted by FoM on November 28, 2007 at 14:25:10 PT
rchandar 
I believe fundamentalism is why I don't like the Right. I was for a time a Fundamentalist but left because I saw their motives politically after the Christian Coalition was formed. I was taught to do good things (catholic teachings) and love all faiths and people. I was taught to care about social injustice. 
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Comment #15 posted by rchandar on November 28, 2007 at 13:47:55 PT:
FoM etc...
Seriously, folks, religious fundamentalism has deprived this country of a perspective. It is time again that we admit we are a MODERN people, deserving MODERN values. The majority of Americans don't grasp this; they still live in an apocalyptic world where the "system" cannot help them, where they refer everything to a historical God that is all-knowing and all-merciful. It's a MISTAKE to tap fundamentalism to solve our problems; the world has changed and in reality we're defenseless against circumstances that defy our historic concepts of "faith" and "revelation." It makes no sense, the world has changed! It can't BE what it was 200 years ago! That's why liberalism is NECESSARY, and deserves our ATTENTION.
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Comment #14 posted by FoM on November 28, 2007 at 13:39:27 PT
rchandar 
I don't know why the word liberal is bad. I believe we should look at how issues help or hurt others, not just ourselves and fix the problems as best we can. I don't follow politics closely and never did but I follow my heart. I guess that is because of my religious background and my beliefs weren't formed by political idealogies.
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Comment #13 posted by rchandar on November 28, 2007 at 13:21:40 PT:
FoM
It all started with the "Reagan Revolution." That's what I remember. "Liberals" need to be more aggressive and inclusive in their attempts to construct and realize public policy; this "shame tag" must be defeated. Yes, that's something that hasn't changed in American society; "liberal" is looked down upon, it's a shame-tag that most people don't question. We need to go back and define ourselves, come up with a platform of ideas that forcibly establish our value to humanity. I think that's something that isn't often done, maybe by rock stars but virtually no one else.When a culture of 300 million "accepts" that "liberal" is "bad," that's an ominous sign. A sign that people never need rethink their thinking, ever. We have to go after it, demand that the shame tag be removed so that a FAIR discussion can really start.rchandar
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Comment #12 posted by FoM on November 21, 2007 at 20:09:58 PT
Related Article from The Associated Press
Question Decriminalizing Marijuana Possession Closer To Mass. Ballot*** November 21, 2007BOSTON (AP) -- Backers of a ballot question calling for civil instead of criminal penalties for the possession of marijuana say they collected more than enough signatures to get the initiative on next year's ballot.
 Supporters say they filed about 105,000 signatures -- far more than the 67,000 required.The ballot question would impose civil penalties for anyone caught with one ounce or less of marijuana.Backers of the question say it would save millions in law enforcement costs and spare thousands from getting a criminal record.Opponents say loosening the state's drug laws sets a bad precedent.Copyright: 2007 by The Associated Presshttp://www.wlbz2.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=75295
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Comment #11 posted by OverwhelmSam on November 20, 2007 at 21:27:52 PT
It's Not Even About Marijuana Anymore
It's about open defiance of the bully government and the fight of the people to take back control of our country.
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on November 20, 2007 at 15:40:00 PT
Michigan: Medical Marijuana May Be On '08 Ballot 
 November 20, 2007Reporter: Associated PressMichigan -- A group that wants to allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes has turned in nearly 500,000 signatures to put the issue on the November 2008 ballot.The Michigan Coalition for Compassionate Care says the 496,000 signatures it handed over to the secretary of state's office should easily contain 304,101 valid signatures, the minimum required.If approved by voters, the initiative would allow qualified, seriously ill patients to use and grow a limited amount of marijuana for medical purposes upon the recommendation of a doctor.Twelve states and five Michigan cities have passed laws allowing the medical use of marijuana. Marijuana is illegal under federal law under all circumstances.
 Copyright: 2002-2007http://www.wilx.com/news/headlines/11658266.html
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Comment #9 posted by Hope on November 20, 2007 at 15:14:17 PT
That's something we have to be thankful for.
Runruff's home.
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on November 20, 2007 at 10:20:25 PT
runruff
You're very welcome. I believe that Thanksgiving is a time to count our blessings. Sometimes it's hard to do but if we look a little closer we can find something to be happy about. I'm not hungry or thirsty. I am not cold or hot. I am just right. Basic creature comforts are special to me. So many people in the world don't have any creature comforts and I pray that they do and soon.
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Comment #7 posted by runruff on November 20, 2007 at 10:09:50 PT:
Thank you FoM.
God bless you and yours.
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on November 20, 2007 at 10:01:30 PT
Runruff
I hope you and Mrs. Runruff have a wonderful Thanksgiving. You are home and that is so great. 
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on November 20, 2007 at 09:59:39 PT
runruff
I don't know why liberal is such a negative word. I think I am liberal in many areas.
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Comment #4 posted by runruff on November 20, 2007 at 09:50:22 PT:
Ha!
Though "legilation" sounds good it ain't no word. I ment legislation.
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on November 20, 2007 at 09:04:29 PT
runruff
Very true.
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Comment #2 posted by runruff on November 20, 2007 at 08:35:38 PT:
A liberal State.
"I don' see any reason why it'll be much different this time but you've got to try." Mit Romney was governor then and he was against all liberal legilation. 
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on November 20, 2007 at 08:34:45 PT
Two Articles About Jean Marlowe
Marlowe Says Marijuana Charges Will Be FoughtNovember 20, 2007http://www.tryondailybulletin.com/news/21979.asp***Jean Marlowe Supports Man Arrested on Marijuana ChargesNovember 20, 2007http://www.tryondailybulletin.com/news/21980.asp
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