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Marijuana Fight Nears
Gregg M. Miliote | Herald News | 02/16/2006

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.

But in the world of politics, no vote is ever black and white.

Although Sullivan voted in favor of the bill, he said he does not support the entire piece of legislation.

"I voted in favor of the bill because I want to see it go forward and evolve a bit, so it becomes more palatable," Sullivan said. "If we were to kill it in committee, then we would have nothing to help kids and young adults who made a poor choice in their lives.

"If someone gets in trouble once, they end up scarred for life. We should be affording people second chances."

Sullivan was alluding to the fact that criminal records, even for marijuana possession, oftentimes hinder an individual’s chances to obtain employment, housing or credit.

He said he expects the legislation to move forward to the Judiciary Committee for further review and some changes.

"I’d like to see what the Judiciary Committee does with it," Sullivan said. "I personally don’t want this to apply to second- or third-time offenders, but I do think the merits of protecting people are reason enough to look at it deeply.

"This legislation is worth a debate."

The bill will likely be the subject of a public hearing before the Judiciary Committee March 14.

The battle over decriminalizing marijuana has been spreading across the nation. In fact, 11 other states have passed similar laws.

The Drug Policy Forum of Massachusetts, a proponent of the legislation, asserts "no negative effects" have resulted from the passage of marijuana decriminalization in other states.

California, one of the states to pass such a law, reports a decrease in youth marijuana use during the last five years under its new marijuana laws.

Whitney A. Taylor, executive director of the Drug Policy Forum of Massachusetts, praised the committee for its leadership on this issue.

"It is wonderful to see Massachusetts legislators taking this step toward a sensible debate on marijuana control policies," Taylor said. "We are moving away from policies based on stigma and punishment, to those based on science."

Sullivan and others in his legislative committee have also pointed to the massive amounts of state resources poured into marijuana possession arrests and prosecution as a reason to support the legislation.

A 2002 study by Boston University economist Jeffrey Miron determined marijuana decriminalization would save Massachusetts taxpayers $24.3 million a year in arrest and booking costs alone. The study also noted that the commonwealth would generate an undetermined amount of revenue due to the potential for civil fines.

"This issue has a major impact on legal resources," Sullivan said. "It’s a real drain on our resources that should be looked at closely."

A sticky situation

Fall River Police Chief John M. Souza and his brethren of law enforcement officials now find themselves in a political gray area as they attempt to determine what their position on this proposal should be.

Souza said this week, "If you have to pin me down on this, I would say I oppose the legislation."

But Souza also said he is still "open to the idea."

"I do have questions about this and am uneasy about the message it sends to kids," Souza said. "This is a whole new territory, and it’s an interesting debate. But I would want some changes and a lot more information before I supported something like this."

Souza said he specifically disagrees with claims that decriminalization would reduce the amount of law enforcement resources put into marijuana arrests.

He said of the approximately 6,000 arrests made last year, very few were solely for marijuana possession.

"Even if it does become a civil fine, the police are still going to be the ones handing out those fines," Souza said.

He also said even if marijuana is decriminalized, users will still have to purchase it from street-level drug dealers who are possessing more than an ounce of the drug.

While Bristol County District Attorney Paul F. Walsh did not return calls for comment on the issue, Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson said he is vehemently opposed to the legislation.

"I think it’s outrageous. In a time when we are trying to teach kids about accountability, this bill sends a terrible message when it basically says it’s OK to use a drug for pleasure," Hodgson said. "Anyone who knows anything about this issue knows that marijuana use leads to other things."

Hodgson said he has noticed "a dangerous trend" in American society recently where people are trying to find reasons to do things that are wrong.

"The last thing my prisoners need is for someone to feel sorry for them. They need the consequences and accountability to make their lives better," Hodgson said. "If this bill passes, it will be a real setback, not only for law enforcement, but for society as a whole."

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troublemaker_42

Blah, blah, blah.....yet another zealot who likes to hear themselves talk, as far as I'm concerned. I sincerely doubt marijuana decriminalization, or even outright legalization would be the downfall of society as this moron predicts.

OK, I'm off for my morning speedball, because "anyone who knows anything about this issue knows that marijuana use leads to other things" Well, maybe he's got a point....it DOES lead to relaxation, an appreciation of music, the ability to see things froma different point of view, laughter, happiness.....he's absoultely right! marijuana DOES lead to "other" things.

PotShot

I am sorry, but if they can use puns all the time in headlines, I am going to point at the(apparently) unintentional ones in their articles. JOINT committee.

First of all, here is a for the damn cops thinking their opinion matters. Secondly, BUDDING debate?
...marijuana use leads to other things...

Right, the munchies and a good time? Or introspection and an open mind? Or is he talking about that gateway/unprotected sex thing? Buffoon.

Our law enforcement officers lying sends them a terrible message, as well as a valuable message: never trust authority. They have been wrong before, and they will be wrong again.

We really need a :spit: Smile.

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Buzzby

"Give strong drink to the hapless and wine to the embittered. Let them drink and forget their poverty, and put their troubles out of mind."
-- Proverbs 31:6

Oops. I forgot. Alcohol isn't a drug.