SpiralArchitect

Marijuana won’t be decriminalized until January
12/4/2008|Enterprise News|Alice C. Elwell

BOSTON — If you’re thinking about strolling down the street smoking a joint, better wait.

The Nov. 4 ballot initiative that decriminalized marijuana won’t take effect at least until January.

Brian McNiff, spokesperson for the Secretary of State, has said that according to the state’s Constitution, new legislation takes effect 30 days after an election.

On Wednesday, the Governor’s Council certified the Nov. 4 vote. McNiff said that means a Supreme Judicial Court ruling in 1972 on the 30-day clause in the state Constitution means the 30-day delay starts today.

Once the law is implemented, if someone is caught with less than an ounce of marijuana, they will face a $100 fine but no criminal charges.

Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz called the measure “defacto legislation,” even though marijuana is still illegal.

“Decriminalization is not legalization,” Cruz said. “Where are people going to get their marijuana? Not Tedeschi’s — they’re going to a drug dealer.”

Meanwhile, top law officials are scrambling to figure out how to implement the mandate.

Cruz didn’t speculate if cops would start carrying scales, but warned, “drug dealers aren’t stupid, they won’t be carrying a pound of marijuana around."

He said dealers will keep it under an ounce and if caught, chalk the $100 fine to the cost of doing business.

Dealers may tack it on to the price, which is reportedly about $600 an ounce on the street.

[ News Note: As outrageous as that price is, 700 dollars is even more outrageous for an ounce. I don't think anyone would, ever, pay that price. That is twice how much it is here in Alaska. ]