Pubdate: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 Source: Enterprise, The (MA) Copyright: 2010 GateHouse Media Inc. Contact: http://www.enterprisenews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3231 Author: Amanda Reed MARIJUANA DEBATE HITS CITY STREETS BROCKTON - The confiscation of a 700-pound haul of marijuana Monday by Abington police has sparked local debate about the drug's legality. The consensus of opinion among a dozen area residents interviewed outside Westgate Mall in Brockton on Friday was generally that pot is no big deal and should be legalized at least for medicinal purposes. Derick Depina, 22, said he thinks legalization would lead to a reduction in local crime. "In this city, there's a lot of disputes between gangs," with much of the reason being marijuana, said Depina, who grew up in Brockton and now lives in Middleboro. According to 27-year-old Tamisha Tnasha, of Brockton, marijuana users are becoming younger and younger -- and that's a problem. "In Brockton," Tnasha said, "there's the issue of easy access." Tnasha said she knows of children as young 13 and 14 who are dealing and using marijuana. Eighteen-year-old Amis Lopes, a Brockton High School graduate, said that's all the more reason to make the drug legal and available to everyone. "People know how to get it when they want it, whether it's legal or not," Lopes said. "Police should be worried more about taking guns off the streets than people getting high." Clay White, a 40-year resident of the city, agreed. "In reality," White said, "we're never going to stop the drug problem. Legalize it." For some, however, the issue is more complicated. Brockton resident Sharon Reed said she is all for people using marijuana for medical purposes. But Reed respects the law and thinks other should too, she said. Kara Boyajian, 23, of Hanson, said she thinks it is a matter of making good choices. "I think if people used it responsibly," she said, "it could be available to everyone." - --- MAP posted-by: Matt