Boston, MA: State election officials have approved a measure for the November 2008 ballot that seeks to decriminalize the possession and use of small amounts of cannabis by persons age 18 or older. Sponsored by the Committee for Sensible Marijuana Policy, the measure would replace criminal penalties for the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana with a civil fine of no more than $100. Defendants who pay the fine would not have to appear in court, nor would they be subjected to a criminal record Under current Massachusett law, citizens arrested for minor marijuana offenses face up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $500.
According to a spring 2008 poll, state voters favor the proposal by a margin of 2 to 1.
Since 2002, more than 480,000 voters in 127 Massachusetts communities have endorsed non-binding resolutions to liberalize local pot policies.
If voters approve the measure this fall, Massachusetts would be the first state to enact the decriminalization of marijuana since Nevada’s legislature did so in 2001.
Currently, twelve states have enacted versions of marijuana decriminalization – replacing criminal sanctions with fine-only penalties for minor pot violators.
Michigan voters will also decide on a separate statewide initiative this November that seeks to legalize the medical use of cannabis for qualified patients. If enacted, Michigan will become the thirteenth state since 1996 to authorize the legal use of medical cannabis, and the ninth state to do so by voter initiative.
For more information, please contact NORML Executive Director Allen St. Pierre at (202) 483-5500, or visit the Committee for Sensible Marijuana Policy online at: http://sensiblemarijuanapolicy.org/.