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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dedham, MA - October 20, 2008
Vote Yes on 2 - Reform Massachusetts Marijuana
Possession Laws
Massachusetts voters will have a chance to decriminalize marijuana
laws on November 4th by voting Yes on Question 2: An Act
Establishing A Sensible State Marihuana Policy.
Changing the law would mean that if you are caught in possession
of less than 1 ounce of marijuana, you are only facing a civil fine
of $100, assuming no prior convictions. The other significant reform
is that these charges would no longer appear on your CORI (Criminal
Offender Record Information) and therefore prevent you from many
future job opportunities, scholarships, and other consequences as a
result of any background check that shows a criminal record.
Under the current Massachusetts marijuana laws, possession of
under an ounce of marijuana can result in up to 6 months in jail,
a $500 fine, a 1 year suspension of your driver's license, and a
permanent criminal record that could follow you for life.
Massachusetts District attorneys are
fighting the measure, suggesting it will have unforeseen
consequences, and lead to additional social problems. However, there
are a number of questionable claims in the Globe article on the
proposal's opposition. If a person gets a continuance without a
finding (CWOF), that result is not "sealed" and is clearly evidence
on any CORI or background check. Also the claim that most marijuana
possession arrests include other charges is dubious, and also not
relevant. No one is proposing decriminalization of other criminal
charges. If a person is simultaneously arrested for OUI or
possession of cocaine, then those cases will continue.
The bottom line is that these minor charges can ruin people's
lives, and cost the Commonwealth $30 million in court and law
enforcement costs, for little to no benefit.
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Further Reading:
Boston Globe article: DAs fight bid to decriminalize marijuana.
Yes
on 2 ballot initiative
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Elliot Savitz is a Massachusetts Criminal Defense Attorney,
with offices in Dedham and Brockton, MA. He offers a free criminal
consultation to anyone facing a criminal charge. His web site is
http://www.masscriminaldefense.com and his phone number is
(781)326-2700.
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