Editorial staff
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Possession of even a small amount of marijuana is a crime, but that doesn’t discourage many Massachusetts citizens from pocketing a little toke for later. The consequences of being apprehended and convicted of an illegal drug offense are unreasonably severe.

Question 2 on the Nov. 4 ballot will provide some relief if approved. The Sensible Marijuana Policy Initiative would replace the present criminal penalty for possession of up to 1 ounce of marijuana with a civil violation. The new penalty would be a $100 fine.

A major advantage of this approach is that the offender would not have a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) report. Although drug abuse is serious, it is even more serious for the petty offender to be precluded from gainful employment because of a CORI.

The proposed policy would not change the criminal provisions for trafficking, selling, growing or driving under the influence of marijuana. Civil penalties are even more severe for minors. They will be treated as inveterate juvenile delinquents.

Marijuana is not good for one’s health — it is reported to be a more dangerous carcinogen than tobacco — but its use can hardly be deemed an act of great moral turpitude. Yet a small-time user is now liable to be sentenced to six months in jail and a fine of up to $500.

Common sense calls for a “yes” vote on Question 2.