Contrary to Sam Allis's assertion about the new law that reduces penalties for small marijuana violations, the source of hilarity is not the way Question 2 was written, but the way some law-enforcement officials feign confusion over it ("Smoky subject," The Observer, Jan. 4).
The law, passed by 65 percent of Bay State voters, makes adult possession of an ounce or less of marijuana a civil, rather than criminal, violation punishable by a simple $100 fine.
We trust law-enforcement officers to make life-or-death decisions every day about whether a given situation warrants discharging their weapon. But Allis, and apparently many law-enforcement officials, worry that Massachusetts cops lack the ability to judge whether a confiscated marijuana sample weighs about the same as a pack of cigarettes.
Oh, please. Eleven states for decades have had laws similar to the one that went into effect Jan. 2 in Massachusetts. Police in those states have proved they're professional and competent enough to enforce those laws. Surely Massachusetts voters should be able to expect the same from those sworn to serve and protect them.
News Hawk- Ganjarden 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: The Boston Globe
Author: Dan Bernath
Contact: The Boston Globe
Copyright: 2009 Globe Newspaper Company
Website: Officers Can Figure Out How To Enforce This
The law, passed by 65 percent of Bay State voters, makes adult possession of an ounce or less of marijuana a civil, rather than criminal, violation punishable by a simple $100 fine.
We trust law-enforcement officers to make life-or-death decisions every day about whether a given situation warrants discharging their weapon. But Allis, and apparently many law-enforcement officials, worry that Massachusetts cops lack the ability to judge whether a confiscated marijuana sample weighs about the same as a pack of cigarettes.
Oh, please. Eleven states for decades have had laws similar to the one that went into effect Jan. 2 in Massachusetts. Police in those states have proved they're professional and competent enough to enforce those laws. Surely Massachusetts voters should be able to expect the same from those sworn to serve and protect them.
News Hawk- Ganjarden 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: The Boston Globe
Author: Dan Bernath
Contact: The Boston Globe
Copyright: 2009 Globe Newspaper Company
Website: Officers Can Figure Out How To Enforce This
