Pubdate: Mon, 27 Jun 2005
Source: Metrowest Daily News (MA)
Copyright: 2005 MetroWest Daily News
Contact:  http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/619
Author: Jon  Brodkin, Daily News Staff
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

POT DECRIMINALIZING MEASURE UP FOR DEBATE

Lawmakers on Beacon Hill today will debate a proposal to decriminalize 
possession of less than an ounce of marijuana, a measure advocates say 
would  save the state at least $24 million a year and prevent pot smokers 
from losing government student loans and scholarships.

The bill,  filed in the Senate, would make marijuana possession a civil 
offense punishable  by a $100 fine.

"As far as  public opinion is concerned, this should pass," said Whitney 
Taylor, executive  director of the Drug Policy Forum of Massachusetts. 
"Voters are way ahead of the  politicians on this."

Voters in  six legislative districts approved nonbinding measures in favor 
of marijuana  decriminalization last November, according to the Drug Policy 
Forum. Since 2000,  there have been 36 ballot questions regarding 
decriminalization, medical  marijuana and marijuana taxation and 
regulation, and voters approved every one,  the group said.

But the  bill being debated today has been around six years without being 
implemented,  and lawmakers are reluctant to pass it. "I haven't signed on 
as a cosponsor of that bill," said state Rep. Deborah 
Blumer,  D-Framingham. "The problem that I have is that we are having 
significant  problems with the abuse of substances and drugs and alcohol 
and cigarettes, and  I'm not prepared to take steps to change the laws on 
marijuana right now." A recent  federal study found that Boston has the 
highest rates of pot smoking in the  country. Today's debate, taking place 
during an 11 a.m. State House hearing in  front of the Joint Committee on 
Mental Health and Substance Abuse, comes quickly  on the heels of a U.S. 
Supreme Court ruling allowing federal prosecution of  people who use 
marijuana medically, even in states that legalized medicinal use  of the drug.

Eleven  states, including California, Maine, New York, Colorado and 
Mississippi, have  passed decriminalization measures similar to the one on 
Beacon Hill without  seeing measurable increases in marijuana use, Taylor 
said. But Sen.  Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, a former lawyer, said the Supreme 
Court decision could  put state decriminalization laws on shaky legal 
ground. "I am  uncertain the state can take it out of the criminal system 
if the U.S. Supreme  Court has stated this is a federal criminal offense 
and the states don't have  the choice over medicinal use of marijuana, 
which is a stronger argument, even," Spilka said. "I think states are going 
to be really wary of making changes until  more comes out about this 
decision." Between  1995 and 2002, there were 70,794 Massachusetts 
residents arrested for simple marijuana possession, Taylor said. Research 
that will be presented today  indicates the state would save at least $24.3 
million in annual law enforcement  and court costs by decriminalizing weed, 
she said. Though  possession of marijuana for personal use usually doesn't 
lead to jail time,  those convicted can lose government student loans and 
scholarships and become  ineligible for many forms of military service and 
private and public sector  jobs, according to the Drug Policy Forum. They 
also may be at risk of losing  driver's and professional licenses and 
custody of their children, the group  said.

"Although  many people don't go to prison for simple possession of drugs, a 
felony  conviction is very harmful," Taylor said. "People think, 'Oh, 
they're not going  to jail.' But it really does affect you."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom