Hundreds of thousands of students in Boston and other parts of Massachusetts will be breathing in change deep and heavy soon, thanks to a ballot initiative that passed in the state last night decriminalizing small quantities of marijuana.
Question number two - which many Massachusetts advocates of the ballot initiative inevitably spaced out until they saw it in front of them- decriminalized the possession of an ounce or less of marijuana to a mere $100 civil fine. The measure passed by a landslide margin of 65 to 35 percent, dealing a blow to prosecutors and law enforcement officials who opposed it.
Offenders under the age of 18 would have to have their parents notified of their fine and be required to complete a drug awareness program. If they don't, the fine is raised to $1,000.
Revenues from the new law will likely add up quickly, especially if university police departments place the fines on tuition bills of college students. The increase in income could help stave away additional cuts in the state budget and staff, or fund ongoing efforts to help Boston residents pronounce their "Rs."
“Last year an American was arrested on marijuana charges once every 36 seconds, which is more arrests for marijuana possession alone than for all violent crimes combined.” said Rob Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project, which sponsored the Massachusetts and Michigan campaigns. “Our ideologically stunted marijuana policies have been a catastrophic failure, and the voters have loudly said, ‘Enough!’ Marijuana prohibition is about to take its place next to alcohol Prohibition on the ash heap of history.”
Ash heap is right, as Massachusetts became the twelfth state to decriminalize marijuana.
The Boston Globe reported that "the proposition will become law 30 days after it is reported to the Governor's Council, which usually meets in late November or early December." But before the state goes up in smoke, there could be snags. The State Legislature could amend or repeal the new law, as they have done with prior initiatives passed by the voters, said Emily LaGrassa, a spokeswoman for Attorney General Martha Coakley. If it happened, that would surely inspire coughing fits or rage around the state.
