bump.. securing popcorn and beer for this one ;)
Same reason that punishments for other crimes are dispensed by judges and not parents. Unless one is a Kennedy.
Every stoner east of the Mississippi will flock to Mass, increasing the IQ of both places.
The arguments made here are worthy, but this is MA after all. I suggest a rewriting of the state constitution and reducing it to one phrase consisting of two words---Anything goes.
Having done that, they can then dismiss their judges, lawyers, law enforcement people, prison guards, etc.
Only think of all the money saved on trials, prisons, police and such. Teddy and company would be comfortable ad any dissenters can join us redstaters.
vaudine
In PA, possession of marijuana in the amount of 30 grams or less is a misdeameanor and considered a low-grade crime like getting a speeding ticket. Has been for about 20 years.
But that hasn't stopped the college kids from overdosing on alcohol and dying. We get a few of those a year.
Since the right of states to allow the use of medical marijuana was denied, there was a case in Washington, DC where a severely crippled man who was using marijuana for pain was arrested for possession of a small amount. He spent 10 days in DC Jail, became severaly ill, recived little care and died. All because he had a small amount to deal with his pain. The whole thing sounds like a combination of the drug companies and the prison corporations influencing government to keep their profits up while we pay the bill for courts, prisons, police, etc.
I have done some drug counseling for severely addicted people. I have never known one that did not start with cigarettes. That is the gateway drug!! Since people are given long jail sentences for cocaine and other drugs, it does not make any sense that it is very easy to get those same drugs in prison. I wonder why no prisoner has ever sued the state for failure to protect him from his addiction and allow him to become clean while imprisioned? For that matter I wonder why family members don't sue, since this causes so much sufferingfor them as well.
The lawyers of America as well as all the others making money off Marijuana won't allow its decriminalization.
Drug counseling, probation, lawyers, etc, all lose if it is not illegal. You think the lawyers are going to let any of their earning potential to erode? Regardless if it good for the country.
Lawyers, the scourage of the world.
So I guess we should also ban alcohol and junk food, which are bad for you, in order to "send a message to young people." Here's my message to young people: government is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.
Translation: Too many white kids gettin' busted.
"parents of those 18 years and younger would be notified of the infraction." How is leaving punishment to parents rather than the government "liberal"?
They aren't leaving the punishment up to parents, are they? The fine is a civil penalty for anyone, regardless of age. All this is is a parental notification provision in a law that will otherwise treat teens and adults the same. That makes sense to me, I'd want to know if my teenage child was caught with pot.