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Unfolding Nature Shop: Unfolding Nature: Being in the Implicate Order

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InvisibleBridgeburner
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Mass. scrambles to implement decriminalized marijuana law
    #9193901 - 11/06/08 08:11 AM (15 years, 4 months ago)

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After Massachusetts voted to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana, top law enforcement officials are scrambling to figure out what they need to do to put the law into effect — despite their efforts to defeat it at the polls.

Attorney General Martha Coakley, who joined all 11 of the state's district attorneys in opposing the ballot question, said Wednesday she was working to determine exactly what it will require the legal system to do.

"Question 2's passage not only authorizes the decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana, but also establishes a parallel civil regulatory structure that does not currently exist," Coakley said in a written statement. "At this time, we are reviewing all of the implications of the new law and whether further clarification or guidance is needed."

Massachusetts becomes the 12th state in the country to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana. The measure passed Tuesday with 65 percent of voters supporting it and 35 percent opposed.

Under the state constitution, a ballot question approved by voters becomes law 30 days after an election.

The courts have defined the end of an election as the date on which the Governor's Council certifies voting results. That typically happens during the last week of November or the first week of December.

Until the new law takes effect, marijuana possession will still be considered a crime, Coakley warned.

Possession of small amounts of marijuana in the state is now punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a $500 fine.

Once the new law takes effect, those caught with an ounce or less of pot will face a civil offense punishable by a $100 fine. They will also have to forfeit the marijuana. Anyone under 18 will also have to give up the drug, but will face a stiffer, $1,000 fine unless they complete a drug awareness program.

Hampden District Attorney William Bennett said Wednesday that he'll drop all pending charges of possessing an ounce or less of marijuana and won't prosecute new ones in order to focus instead on drug dealers.

"I'm going to act as if the law were in effect now," he told The Republican of Springfield newspaper. He said he doesn't know how many charges would be dismissed, but it's not a significant number.

Thomas Kiley, a lawyer representing the Committee for Sensible Marijuana Policy, which pushed the ballot question, said the two months will give the state time to make the adjustments needed to conform to the new law, including the creation of new drug awareness programs by the Department of Youth Services.

"Once the people have spoken and expressed their desire for a specific kind of law there must be full implementation by the state," Kiley said.

Supporters of the ballot question said the new law will spare thousands from having a criminal record, which can make it harder to get a job, student loan or gain access to public housing. They also argued that taxpayers would save $30 million in costs associated with marijuana arrests.

But opponents, led by the district attorneys, had warned the measure could lead to more drug abuse among young people. They said marijuana is a gateway to harder drugs and said the marijuana available on the streets today is more potent than pot three decades ago.

They also argued that existing state law requires judges to dismiss charges and seal records for first-time offenders.


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OfflineJusListen
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Re: Mass. scrambles to implement decriminalized marijuana law [Re: Bridgeburner]
    #9193939 - 11/06/08 08:23 AM (15 years, 4 months ago)

woo-hoo! :thumbup:

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Offlinekungpow
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Re: Mass. scrambles to implement decriminalized marijuana law [Re: JusListen]
    #9194097 - 11/06/08 09:02 AM (15 years, 4 months ago)

We need this in every state. It would be so nice to be able to carry up to an ounce and not have to worry about going to jail for it.


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Offlinebloodsheen
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Re: Mass. scrambles to implement decriminalized marijuana law [Re: kungpow]
    #9194264 - 11/06/08 09:31 AM (15 years, 4 months ago)

no matter what the people want in regards to drugs, the cops always seem to want to crack down harder. Last time i checked, the job of a cop is to protect and serve the public, and what the public wants is the government to stop wasting tax dollars on innocent pot smokers. U wana know why pot is a gateway drug? Because when kids start smoking pot, they wonder what else the government has been lying about as being dangerous. If kids are sent the message that they shouldnt smoke pot but it isnt a big deal, maybe they would be less likely to start smoking meth or snorting coke


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OfflinePsilocybinMike
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Re: Mass. scrambles to implement decriminalized marijuana law [Re: Bridgeburner]
    #9195275 - 11/06/08 12:35 PM (15 years, 4 months ago)

Haha I hear they want to appeal this law too. Fuck 'em it will just be a further defining of their failure when that doesn't pass and the law stays in place.

I guess a people's vote of 65% majority just isn't enough for these state officials. In other words, they could give two shits what the people think. That only applies when laws are voted in their favor.

Like I said though, the appeal will fail. The people have spoken. I will enjoy rubbing it in the faces of all the simple minded dipshits who bitch about the law passing. Loving it.


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baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaammmm

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Offlineboletusoftruth
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Re: Mass. scrambles to implement decriminalized marijuana law [Re: PsilocybinMike]
    #9195936 - 11/06/08 02:30 PM (15 years, 4 months ago)

My home...Makes me proud :potleaf:

Quote:

But opponents, led by the district attorneys, had warned the measure could lead to more drug abuse among young people. They said marijuana is a gateway to harder drugs and said the marijuana available on the streets today is more potent than pot three decades ago.




That isn't really a legitimate point anyways. Most kids under 18 who get caught nowadays don't get in trouble, their parents just get notified. I've had several friends all get caught, the police just call the parents. There isn't really a change in law there...


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Offlinelollylolly
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Re: Mass. scrambles to implement decriminalized marijuana law [Re: boletusoftruth]
    #9195989 - 11/06/08 02:42 PM (15 years, 4 months ago)

Quote:

He said he doesn't know how many charges would be dismissed, but it's not a significant number.




if it re unites ONE family, that's been torn apart by the possession, or use of marijuana, then that was a significant number.

ONE person being dismissed under this new decrim, is a significant number.


Since when do atrocities have to affect more then 1 person, before it's considered an atrocity? I am confused by this.

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Invisiblesleepy
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Re: Mass. scrambles to implement decriminalized marijuana law [Re: lollylolly]
    #9196287 - 11/06/08 03:38 PM (15 years, 4 months ago)

maybe obama will get something like a national decrim law passed, especially with the house and senate both democratic :awesome:

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OfflineAlan RockefellerM
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Re: Mass. scrambles to implement decriminalized marijuana law [Re: Bridgeburner]
    #9196635 - 11/06/08 04:42 PM (15 years, 4 months ago)

Quote:

but also establishes a parallel civil regulatory structure that does not currently exist,





What is this parallel civil regulatory structure that they are talking about?

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Offlinelollylolly
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Re: Mass. scrambles to implement decriminalized marijuana law [Re: Alan Rockefeller]
    #9197843 - 11/06/08 07:51 PM (15 years, 4 months ago)

Quote:

Alan Rockefeller said:
Quote:

but also establishes a parallel civil regulatory structure that does not currently exist,





What is this parallel civil regulatory structure that they are talking about?




yeah i was never told about that! what is it? does it exist even? do we really want it to?

there is so much  wrong with what these idiots say.

"The drugs will get into childrens hands"
is NO LONGER a valid reason to NOT decrim.
the drugs are already in their hands, and the kids have no clue whats in them, adulterated shit. Or, just shitty quality pot.

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Invisibledr_gonz

Registered: 08/18/03
Posts: 44,654
. [Re: Bridgeburner]
    #9198110 - 11/06/08 08:33 PM (15 years, 4 months ago)

.

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Offlineboletusoftruth
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Re: Mass. scrambles to implement decriminalized marijuana law [Re: dr_gonz]
    #9201968 - 11/07/08 01:03 PM (15 years, 4 months ago)

Quote:

dr_gonz said:
what are the 12 states?




http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=4516


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Unfolding Nature Shop: Unfolding Nature: Being in the Implicate Order


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