SpiralArchitect

Framingham airs marijuana restrictions
1/7/09 | Boston.com | Matt Byrne

FRAMINGHAM - Officials last night took an initial step toward making Framingham the first town in the state to ban smoking marijuana in public.

The Board of Health detailed at its hearing last night how it wants to add smoking marijuana in restaurants, offices, or other public places to the town's antismoking ordinance, which imposes a fine of $50 for smoking a cigarette or cigar in public.

Backers say the ban would protect people from the harmful effects of THC-laced secondhand smoke, which, according to the measure, could cause severe discomfort and illness to nonsmokers, or aggravate allergies of those exposed to the smoke.

The ban being considered would also fine the owner of the establishment $100 for a first offense and $200 for a second. A third offense would cost $300 and the possible loss of any town-issued permits.

Speaking in opposition was James Pillsbury, who said he was a 39-year marijuana smoker.

"Cannabis smoke is not nearly as lethal as tobacco," Pillsbury said, asserting that carcinogenic additives in cigarettes are the source of the harm of second-hand smoke.

But Nelson Goldin, a board member, responded, "There is no reason to allow marijuana smoke in a restaurant or a place of public meeting."

The health board will hear more from the public during its Jan. 20 meeting, when it is expected to vote on the measure.

The passage of Question 2 in November, which made possession of less than an ounce of marijuana a civil offense punishable by a $100 fine, left open the question of public use of the drug. In response, the state released guidelines suggesting that individual communities deal with the issue.

"We will err on the side of caution, and that's our job," said Goldin, adding that enforcement of the provision is a police issue.

The town's Police Department could not be reached for comment.

Donald J. Wilson, director of the state municipal tobacco control technical assistance program, also attended the meeting and suggested the town add provisions to makes its antismoking ordinance in line with the statewide antismoking law, which has higher penalties.

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ramb0

does this mean it could be a criminal offense in Framingham? Anyone know about Boston?

SpiralArchitect

This is concerning using marijuana in public. I'm not sure about Boston.

awd4g63

I'm sure it would be a minor offense like smoking tobacco. It's probably just the act of smoking it, it seems; not actually posessing it.

"Cannabis smoke is not nearly as lethal as tobacco" That statement should have simply said "Cannabis smoke is not lethal."

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sterbo

Seems fair enough to me ...

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awd4g63

Yeah, at least it's an issue being discussed now. Seems like we're slowly but surely going in the right direction.

Although, I'd love to walk out of a restaurant into a nice cloud of marijuana smoke

SpiralArchitect

^
Not everyone would though.

I think businesses should be allowed to decide such matters on their own hands, but on public grounds, I see no reason to allow people to smoke MJ in public, at least with the current laws. Similar laws apply to alcohol, where it's use isn't permitted in certain public places.

awd4g63

Yeah, I know, and I actually agree with the laws. It's more for the consideration of others. I do still think it's a step in the right direction; it's just sort of nice to have it be an issue nowadays. I would like to see it make way with bars and certain restaurants, though.

circasurvivefan

Why did anyone ever think that smoking marijuana in public would be okay in the first place? I think that's taking this baby step a little too far. Cigarette smoking has been illegal in MA for some time and in 2010 (I believe) there aren't even going to be hookah bars. I find that redic as a hookah bar is a place FOR smoking, so if you don't want to breath in second hand smoke don't attend.

Anyway, if no other kind of smoking is legal in public places, and marijuana is a civil penalty, (a joint is marijuana right?) why are so many people thinking they can smoke in public places and take advantage of this? It's making marijuana smokers look foolish. The intent of this idea was to stop those that smoke in their home respectfully from going to jail and to generate money in hard economic times.

James Pillsbury, sounds like an idiot. It doesn't matter if second hand marijuana smoke is less dangerous than second hand tobacco smoke. To have marijuana smoke means (this is the key) THAT YOU HAVE MARIJUANA! which even though it won't get you arrested, it's still technically illegal in a way.

Aye aye aye. Am I the only one that sees this as pointless on Framinghams behalf and stupid of pot smokers to now think they can smoke in public? I just don't get it. I'll admit there is no law for smoking marijuana in public (because it was illegal before so why account for something that's illegal) but it just seems dense to think that you can now because it's a civil penalty.

Edit: I'm not debating the right of smoking in public places and who should decide that, I just don't understand why people in MA think that they can smoke something that they're still not supposed to have in public. It won't get you to jail but a fine is still meant to enforce people from doing it.

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Andrew87

Agreed with Spiral and Circa.

This guy Pillsbury seems to have forgotten that MARIJUANA IS STILL ILLEGAL. I find it pompous of him to speak so casually about this. Hopefully, the few obnoxious idiots who will no doubt try to “push” things by arrogantly smoking weed in public won’t ruin it for everyone else.

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The welfare of humanity is always the alibi of tyrants. -- Albert Camus