Pubdate: Thu, 13 Mar 2003
Source: Portsmouth Herald (NH)
Copyright: 2003 Seacoast Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.seacoastonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1157
Author: Francis X. Quinn, Associated Press

LAWMAKERS REJECT MARIJUANA BILL

AUGUSTA, Maine - The Maine Senate, voting along party lines, rejected a 
bill Wednesday that would specify what a "usable amount" of marijuana is in 
determining levels of punishment for possession.

Next comes consideration in the House of Representatives, where most of the 
few members who have looked closely at the measure thus far have signaled 
their support.

The proposal rejected by the Senate had been backed by a 10-3 majority of 
the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.

As put forth by the committee, the proposal would insert language in 
existing law to specify a threshold under which possession of marijuana 
becomes a mere civil infraction rather than a criminal violation.

The proposed clarification would read: "possession of a usable amount of 
marijuana of a weight equal to or less than 11/4 ounces is a civil 
violation," punishable for a first offense by a forfeiture of between $200 
and $400.

Possession of larger amounts would be a Class E crime.

Debate leading up to the Senate vote Wednesday was brief.

The committee majorityis proposal would introduce needed clarity in the 
law, said Republican Sen. David Carpenter of Sanford.

In rebuttal, Democratic Sen. Ethan Strimling of Portland cited high jail 
populations and argued for giving latitude to juries.

The Senate vote had 18 Democrats declaring opposition to the bill and 16 
Republicans in favor, with one Republican absent.

Of the three senators on the Criminal Justice panel that originally 
considered the measure, Strimling, who is the Senate chairman, and fellow 
Democrat Pam Hatch of Skowhegan joined the minority voting against the 
bill, while Carpenter was the lone senator on the panel in favor.

Nine of the 10 House members on the committee, including House Chairman 
George Bunker, D-Kossuth Township, voted to recommend passage, with only 
Democratic Rep. Stan Gerzofsky of Brunswick registering opposition.

Maine has considered possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal 
use a non-criminal offense since the mid-1970s.

In other action Wednesday, the Senate went along with a prior House vote 
and gave final approval to a bill requiring bottlers to clearly disclose on 
their labels the source of water being sold.

The proposal says labels must spell out the name and geographic location of 
the water source, without using abbreviations or acronyms.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom