Nov 4th, 2008
Posted by Anjuli Verma, Drug Law Reform Project at 11:22pm	Drug Law Reform

Massachusetts First State to Decriminalize Marijuana

Massachusetts voters overwhelmingly (65 percent pro, 35 percent con) passed Question 2 today, which decriminalizes small amounts of marijuana — putting penalties on par with receiving a traffic ticket. The new law replaces criminal penalties for possession of one ounce or less of marijuana with a new system of civil penalties, removing the threat of jail time and excluding information regarding this offense from the state’s criminal record system. The maximum punishment under the new law is forfeiture of the marijuana plus a civil penalty of $100.

Although public opinion across the country increasingly supports the idea of rethinking harsh criminal justice responses to marijuana possession, Massachusetts is the first state in the country to pass such a sweeping reform by popular vote.

Let’s hope that Massachusetts’ bold reform will pave the way for other states to adopt this common sense approach.

Permalink |	Drug Law Reform

Tags: 2008 Election

1. Chad Says:
   Nov 4th, 2008 at 11:59pm

   The headline of this article is not correct at all. Quite a few states decriminalized marijuana in the 1970's. Last time I checked marijuana is still decriminalized in Ohio for example (those paraphernalia is still illegal).

2. Alicia Says:
   Nov 5th, 2008 at 2:26am

   Definitely criminal in Ohio...although paraphernalia is not. I think Denver was one of the first, not statewide like this.

3. Cherokee Fred Says:
   Nov 5th, 2008 at 11:46am

   One state still cares about its people this is a step in the right direction. Now we need to get rid of 100 fine do the fine people for picking up a six pack??

4. Andy Says:
   Nov 6th, 2008 at 7:08am

   Chad is correct that some state legislature's decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana starting in the 1970s. But I think Anjuli's point is that “Massachusetts is the first state in the country to pass such a sweeping reform by popular vote.” The blog title was necessarily truncated. The list of states and some of the history and impacts of current marijuana policy are covered in the ACLU program “Marijuana: It’s Time for a Conversation,” which can be viewed online at http://www.marijuanaconversation.org.

5. Ronnie Says:
   Nov 9th, 2008 at 7:15pm

   I wish this was the case with my son. He was recently expelled from school for possession of a gram of marijuana. He is 14 years old. He was coerced into giving up info to the asst Principal before I was told to go to school. I do believe his civil rights were seriously abused!!!

6. king12555 Says:
   Dec 10th, 2008 at 7:57pm

   Hallelujah!!! That's the best thing I've heard in eons. Ronnie, expulsion is the least of it. My 18yr old son was first charged with felony speech in KY for words that he said in an argument with another student. The the county issued an erroneous arrest warrant because for probation violation because they made a mistake. In the search incident to the bogus arrest, they found a coffee grinder w/ an alleged residue of a green leafy substance. Two misdemeanor charges of marijuana and drug paraphenalia. Then a couple of months later he was driving down the hwy and a cop stopped him for driving to slow (though he wasn't) and searched the car finding to marijiuana roaches in the console and a pack of rolling papers. Two more felony charges. One for a pack of rolling papers which is a 2nd offence felony here and one because he was 18 and the two boys with him weren't. Three felonies for words and less than 1/2 a joint. The cop later changed the reason he stopped him to muffler and lied his a** off in court because he knew he did not have probable cause for a stop. 7 months. 3 felonies. Also stopped by 3 cop cars when not doing anything wrong and told he could not drive the streets of Erlanger. He is Native American though recorded as white in every encounter. He is 19 now and says he wishes he were dead. He wants to die. He says one should not have to fear the state. Even now, he waits for an arrest or bench warrant for probation violation for the stop that should never have happened. It does never end. 4 years of constant court cases between him and his brother. Every civil right broken, and the ACLU in KY is too busy to answer the phone. I have posted many of the civil rights violations on Cnn.com/ireport under the screen name king12555. You only think ya have problems buddy:)

7. cs in md Says:
   Dec 12th, 2008 at 3:27pm

   Other states on the decriminalisation honor roll are the notably 'liberal' states of Mississippi, and North Carolina.

   Unfortunately, just like so many other issues involving the abuse of state power, especially in the national security arena - the reason many so called liberal Democrats oppose any real change is not because they are afraid of the voters- it's because they really don't see any problem with locking people up for nothing, unlimited surveillance, etc.

   Something strange happens to people in law school (future politicians). Most all believe in the right of gay marriage (I could care less personally) , but have little concern regarding the victims of the drug war. Last time I checked, no one goes to prison for being gay any more. Weird.

8. Big BLUE Says:
   Jan 1st, 2009 at 6:18pm

   How will the law effect people on probabtion when summonsed for a drug test?

9. pabloescobar Says:
   Aug 4th, 2009 at 1:21am

   Pot is decriminalized but still illegal so people on probation cannot smoke pot because it's against the law and their probation terms.