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A new departmental policy now says Southwick police officers cannot use or possess medical marijuana and only in certain circumstances can an officer be in its presence.
Selectmen approved the personnel policy at their last meeting after Police Chief Mark Krynicki advocated adoption.
Lt. David Ricardi drafted the policy for the board's action, and he said police are in a difficult position with regard to medical marijuana.
"The whole hinge point is that it is still against federal law," he said. "The federal government is not budging on that."
That alone, he said, makes it illegal for police. But, under federal Department of Alcohol, Firearms and Tobacco regulations, it is also unlawful for anyone, police included, to possess firearms or ammunition if they use or are addicted to controlled substances. In order to legally possess marijuana for medical purposes, the user must obtain a special registration card for qualified patients, diagnosed by a physician with a debilitating medical condition. Thus, possession of such a registration card would preclude officers from possessing a firearm.
Under the new policy officers can be considered "caregivers" for patients who use medical marijuana, but only with special permission from the police chief. Ricardi said permission will be granted only on a case by case basis.
"We have to cover all the bases," Ricardi said. "If we have no policy in place we could conceivably have an officer smoking or using marijuana on duty. We are trying to get ahead of the situation. It could happen."
News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: masslive.com
Author: Dave Canton
Contact: About Us | Site Info, Online Advertising, Contact Us - MassLive.com
Website: Southwick police officers prohibited from using medical marijuana | masslive.com
Selectmen approved the personnel policy at their last meeting after Police Chief Mark Krynicki advocated adoption.
Lt. David Ricardi drafted the policy for the board's action, and he said police are in a difficult position with regard to medical marijuana.
"The whole hinge point is that it is still against federal law," he said. "The federal government is not budging on that."
That alone, he said, makes it illegal for police. But, under federal Department of Alcohol, Firearms and Tobacco regulations, it is also unlawful for anyone, police included, to possess firearms or ammunition if they use or are addicted to controlled substances. In order to legally possess marijuana for medical purposes, the user must obtain a special registration card for qualified patients, diagnosed by a physician with a debilitating medical condition. Thus, possession of such a registration card would preclude officers from possessing a firearm.
Under the new policy officers can be considered "caregivers" for patients who use medical marijuana, but only with special permission from the police chief. Ricardi said permission will be granted only on a case by case basis.
"We have to cover all the bases," Ricardi said. "If we have no policy in place we could conceivably have an officer smoking or using marijuana on duty. We are trying to get ahead of the situation. It could happen."
News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: masslive.com
Author: Dave Canton
Contact: About Us | Site Info, Online Advertising, Contact Us - MassLive.com
Website: Southwick police officers prohibited from using medical marijuana | masslive.com
