Pubdate: Sat, 25 Sep 2010
Source: Cape Cod Times (MA)
Copyright: 2010 Cape Cod Times
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/sbOHSik6
Website: http://www.capecodonline.com/cctimes/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/72
Author: Aaron Gouveia
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

VOTERS SET TO PONDER LEGALIZED POT

FALMOUTH -- Possessing small amounts of marijuana has already been 
decriminalized, but could legalization be next?

The idea might not be so far out, man.

Voters in Falmouth precincts 1, 2, 5 and 6, as well as on Martha's 
Vineyard and Nantucket, will weigh in on a nonbinding ballot question 
in November regarding legislation that would allow the state to 
regulate and tax marijuana in the same fashion as alcohol, said 
attorney Steven Epstein, a founder of the Massachusetts Cannabis 
Reform Coalition.

"Anybody who has a rational mind will see it's just wrong not to make 
money on it," Epstein said. "Put it in stores and regulate it."

The ballot question is based on House of Representatives Bill 2929, 
which is "an act to regulate and tax the cannabis industry" and is 
modeled after the state Alcohol Beverage Control Act. The question is 
only being considered in communities where supporters gathered at 
least 200 signatures to place the nonbinding measure on the ballot.

The bill would make marijuana legal for people 21 and older, allowing 
consumers to grow and share their own marijuana just as people who 
brew their own beer, Epstein said. But the state would become the dealer.

The Bill 2929 seeks to create a Cannabis Control Authority, similar 
to the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission, which would oversee 
the issuance of licenses to cultivate, process, trade and import marijuana.

Epstein said the bill calls for establishing license fees and excise 
taxes on cannabis sold at retail, adding it would create new jobs.

The state already imposes excise taxes on cigarettes and alcohol. In 
fiscal year 2009, the state Department of Revenue collected $587 
million in cigarette taxes and $72 million from the alcohol excise 
tax. If the marijuana bill is approved, Epstein said marijuana sales 
could bring in as much as $600 million in new revenue to state 
coffers each year, which is on par with casino gambling revenue projections.

But at least one local law enforcement official said Epstein is 
simply blowing smoke because the financial benefits are outweighed by 
the negative impacts on the community.

"Pot is not alcohol. It's not even close. Not even in the same 
league," Falmouth Police Chief Anthony Riello said. "You don't 
necessarily get drunk when you drink alcohol if you just have a 
little, but you smoke pot for one reason: to get high."

Riello vehemently opposed the marijuana decriminalization ballot 
question two years ago that made possession of 1 ounce or less of 
marijuana a civil infraction punishable by a $100 fine.

He said the decriminalization measure was simply a way for pro-pot 
groups such as the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana 
Laws to get their foot in the door as they move toward completely 
legalizing marijuana.

Riello said marijuana is "definitely a gateway drug."

"Marijuana opens the door, and it's illegal for a reason," he said. 
"I've never met anyone who said he started with heroin or crack."

While Epstein said that anything taken in excess is bad for one's 
health, he said marijuana is no more dangerous than eating fatty 
foods, drinking soda or drinking alcohol on a regular basis. He said 
opposition to legalization from police officials is "all about 
protecting their power."

But state Rep. Matt Patrick, D-Falmouth, said he sees too many 
problems with addiction to add another substance, legally controlled 
or not. "At this stage of the game, I can't support it," he said. "I 
would have to see a lot more work on that before I even come close."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom