BOSTON (WBZ) ― Massachusetts voters decided to ease marijuana laws Tuesday.
So what does that really mean?
It means anyone caught with an ounce or less of pot will no longer be considered a criminal in Massachusetts.
Instead, they'll have to pay a $100 fine and be forced to turn over the drug.
If they're under 18, they'll have to complete a drug awareness course or face a stiffer, $1,000 fine. Parents or legal guardians must also be notified.
The new law will go into effect in 30 days.
Is that enough time?
It depends who you ask.
Barnstable District Attorney Michael O'Keefe opposed the measure.
He said the state must set up a new system to adapt to the new law, including retraining officers. He said he didn't know if it was realistic to make the shift in so short a time.
"Who do they report that ticket to? Who is going to oversee that?" O'Keefe said.
"We have a Registry of Motor Vehicles in this state, but we don't have a registry of dope smokers yet, but apparently we will now," he said.
Supporters say it shouldn't be a big problem.
They claim police are already equipped to give out citations on a range of non-criminal offenses.
What changes will the new law bring?
Supporters claim it will save taxpayers $30 million in costs associated with marijuana arrests.
They believe the new law will also keep thousands of offenders from having a criminal record, which can make it harder to get a job, student loan or gain access to public housing.
"It's going to end the creation of thousands of new people being involved in the criminal justice system each year and refocus law enforcement resources on violent crime," said Whitney Taylor of the Committee for Sensible Marijuana Policy.
Critics, led by the state's 11 district attorneys, say it will lead to more drug abuse among young people.
They argue that marijuana is a gateway to harder drugs and that the marijuana available on the streets today is more potent than pot three decades ago.
They also say that existing state law already requires judges to dismiss charges and seal records for first-time offenders.
Are Other States Doing This?
Massachusetts is now the 12th state in the country to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana.
