Effects of Marijuana Laws in Massachusetts

Marijuana Bill

In Massachusetts? Senate Bill 881? sponsored by Sen. Pat Jehlen? with four cosponsors? is a refilling of a bill that was approved last year in the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Committee. It specifies a civil penalty for the ownership of one ounce of less of marijuana of $250.

The Massachusetts attempt constructs on years of work by the Drug Policy Forum of Massachusetts and the Bay State NORML associate? MassCann. The two groups have brought ballot questions urging their representatives to accompaniment various marijuana reform measures before more than 400?000 Bay State voters? (Gorman pp 11) and won every one of them. It remains to be seen if the popular accompaniment for reform can be translated into a newly decrim law.

In Newly Hampshire? a newly grassroots group? the Coalition for Common Sense Marijuana Policy is urging accompaniment for HB 92? which was set for a Wednesday hearing in the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee. "In spite of the threat of severe penalties? many responsible? productive Newly Hampshire citizens continue to use marijuana. As long as these individuals do not harm others? we believe it is unwise and unjust to continue persecuting them as enemies of the state?" the group declared (Annas pp 6).

Marijuana effects on Crime Rate

Promising that the Granite State's "Live Free or Die" motto would come across with their compeers? Reps. Chuck Weed (D-Keene)? Paul Ingbretson (R-Haverill)? and Steve Vailancourt (R-Manchester) sponsored the bill. But still although Democrats assumed both houses in the November elections? the measure's alternatives are unsure. It would be contradicted by the common distrusts in law social control and the Attorney General's office. The fate of a 2001 medical marijuana bill? which was overwhelmingly defeated? also signals possible problems.

Still? in spite of a decades-long hiatus since the decrim glories of the Carter years? legislators in at least two states will have the opportunity to renew a long dormant reform movement. The Massachusetts General Court's Joint Mental Health and Substance Abuse Committee recently voted 6-1 in privilege of a bill that would decriminalize ownership of less than one ounce of marijuana. Instead of facing criminal charges for simple possession? the legislation calls for a civil fine of $250 (Brookhiser pp 166-182).

Marijuana Effects on Race

Massachusetts State Rep. David Sullivan? D-Fall River? is a member of the joint committee and voted in privilege of the bill. But in the world of politics? no vote is ever black and white. Although Sullivan voted in privilege of the bill? he claimed he does not accompaniment the entire piece of legislation. "I voted in privilege of the bill because I want to see it go forward and evolve a bit? so it becomes more palatable?" Sullivan claimed (Bakalar pp 23). "If we were to kill it in committee? then we would have nothing to help kids and young adults who made a poor choice in their lives.

"If someone gets in trouble once? they end up scarred for life. We must be affording people ...