Ann O'Connor
Boston Globe
THE DISTRICT attorneys featured in this article "DAs fight bid to ease penalty for marijuana" (Page A1, Oct. 20) are so high on their own conceit that they can't see the possibilities in proposed changes to the current marijuana law under Question 2
Aaron Nicodemus
Worcester Telegram & Gazette
A ballot question that would decriminalize — but not legalize — possession of small amounts of marijuana is vehemently opposed by members of law enforcement, who say the new law would encourage drug use.
Supporters of Question 2 argue that replacing criminal penalties for possession of one ounce or less of marijuana with a new system of civil penalties would prevent a relatively minor offense from ballooning into a stumbling block to future jobs and college scholarships. And they say that drug use has not increased in 11 other states that have decriminalized marijuana, including New York.
Dan Ring
Springfield Republican
BOSTON - Amherst town meeting member Terence J. Franklin supports a Nov. 4 ballot question that seeks to decriminalize possession of one ounce or less of marijuana, saying that use of the illegal drug is becoming more acceptable.
"It's become more a part of society," said Franklin, an auxiliary member of the Cannabis Reform Coalition at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, last week. "People are more familiar with it. People are more at ease with it."
Kim Hanna
Metrowest Daily News
Re: "DA speaks out against marijuana decriminalization," (Oct. 8):
Whatever positive statements DA Blodgett may have made on this subject go out the window when he starts spreading scare tactics that are simply false or outright lies.
Editorial staff
Springfield Republican
You have friends and family members and co-workers who have smoked marijuana. You may have even indulged a bit yourself back in the day.
Few people today would argue that someone who had been caught with a small amount of marijuana for his or her own personal use should be denied, say, a job. Or a student loan. Or an apartment. Or a professional license.
But that's exactly what could happen under current laws that are in place in Massachusetts. Question 2 on the November ballot seeks to right that wrong by making possession of an ounce or less - for personal use - a civil rather than a criminal offense.
