Pot Pot everywhere but not an ounce to smoke.

Just for the record, Question number 2 does not legalize marijuana just decriminalizes it.
This means that no one is saying, "Hey Kids, here's a joint, go join your friends at school." What it means is that if you are an adult you get a fine, of your a minor you parents get told, and you have to do 10 hours of community service. I think that the community service should be more and should also apply to the adults. I read this article, and would like comment on a few things the article as printed is as follow with my comments in italics.

Area law enforcement say 'no' to marijuana decriminalization
'September 19, 2008'

By Brian Fraga
Standard-Times staff writer
September 19, 2008 6:00 AM
NEW BEDFORD — Make no mistake about it: law enforcement officials in Southeastern Massachusetts are strongly against decriminalizing smaller amounts of marijuana.
"Question 2 ignores the extreme effects drug legalization would have in Massachusetts," said Cape and Islands District Attorney Michael O'Keefe, who is leading the statewide charge against the November ballot initiative.
In a Thursday press conference on the steps of New Bedford Superior Court, Mr. O'Keefe was joined by a coterie of public officials that included Bristol County District Attorney C. Samuel Sutter as well as mayors, police chiefs, prosecutors, sheriffs, and business leaders from SouthCoast and Cape Cod.
Speaking at a podium with a prominently displayed "Vote No on 2" sign, several speakers warned that crime would increase and a dangerous message sent, especially to youths, if voters approve the initiative — which would create civil instead of criminal penalties for possessing an ounce or less of marijuana.
A dangerous message? Is it more dangerous than binge drinking until you are 21, or being able to buy cigarettes when you are 18? I would like to know exactly what dangerous message it is sending.

One ounce of marijuana has a street value of $600 and equates to approximately 60 individual sales, officials said.
What officials? Once ounce of marijuana goes for about $160. It does not equal 60 individual sales. I know some people who smoke a ounce of pot a week, and are highly looked upon.

"Just think of the message this would send to every single middle and high school student," Fall River Mayor Robert Correia said.
Middle and high school children already know about pot, what pot does, and most of them how to get it. It's been mentioned in songs from Bob Dylan, to 50-cent. There is a show about pot on cable. It's in our society and from the looks of it, it is not going anywhere. I am a long way out of high school and I know that I knew all about it.

"The message this sends to our teens and young adults is that smoking marijuana is not a big deal, when it is," said Mr. Sutter, adding the measure will "incontrovertibly" lead to more drug usage.
OK I love this argument, but I am sure that isf you go looking for the information that you will see that people out there started smoking pot, which lead to bigger and more serious drugs. I know this happens. What I also know happens is that many people have self control, and are able to smoke pot without going any further. I have smoked a joint or two in my lifetime, but have never done cocaine, heroin, or crack. I have seen it, i have seen people do it, I have been asked to do it, but I do have a half of brain, and stoned or not, I have always refused.


Whitney A. Taylor, the campaign manager of the Committee for Sensible Marijuana Policy, the group advocating for the initiative, said the officials' comments clouded the ballot question's pragmatic aims.

"The issue first and foremost is that under Question 2, marijuana is still illegal," she said. "Legalization is not what this is about. We don't condone marijuana usage. We are for a smarter law enforcement approach."
See that people "LEGALIZATION IS NOT WHAT THIS IS ABOUT"

Under Question 2, instead of arresting and charging individuals caught with one ounce or less of marijuana, police would issue a $100 fine. If juveniles were caught possessing marijuana, their parents or legal guardians would be notified and they would be required to complete 10 hours of community service.
Supporters argue that the current system penalizes individuals by annotating arrests for simple possession as part of their Criminal Offender Record Information, making it difficult for them to secure certain jobs, college loans and apartments.
Police counter that first-time offenders have their cases dismissed in court and their CORI sealed. Opponents argue the CORI is not always sealed and can still be distributed for years.
Also, supporters of the initiative argue that 11 other states, including New York and Maine, have similar laws and that the research indicates they do not have higher rates of marijuana use.
Citing a 2002 report by Harvard economist Jeffrey Miron, supporters also argue the changes will save taxpayers almost $30 million a year on arrests, bookings and preliminary court expenses.
I would like to know the amount of arrests in Fall River that are just on possession of a ounce or less. It would save the city some money that obviously it could use.

New Bedford Police Chief Ronald P. Teachman argued that the group's figures are "bogus."
"The money still goes to the gangs that terrorize our neighborhoods," he said. "Why now do we want to take a step backwards with marijuana? We're going to make our streets unsafer, and at what cost?"
Well lets see, there was this era called Prohibition, and I think all the same arguments were made. You had to get a doctors note if you possessed alcohol for medicinal purposes. (sounds familiar).
To this day there are still dry counties and towns but imagine this, alcohol can be brought in for private consumption!
Thursday's press conference in New Bedford was part of a statewide campaign organized by the Coalition to Save Our Streets, the committee organized to oppose Question 2.
The controversy over the issue has spurred pitched political battles.
Supporters filed a legal complaint alleging the state's 11 district attorneys violated campaign finance laws by raising and spending money to defeat the initiative before forming their committee.
Meanwhile, opponents have attacked the legitimacy of the proponent group by pointing out that many of its donors are from outside the state, including George Soros, the international financier, who donated $400,000.
Thanks George!!!!


I know that we have to live by the laws that our society puts on us. There are rules and regulations everywhere and punishments that have to be upheld. There are far more important things that are going on all around us locally to globally to which this issue seems mundane. However, we do live in America, but more and more of our rights are taken away from us everyday. Habitual pot smokers are not the problem, they tend to be a bit more lazy, drive slower, and generally happy or sleeping. Should you live you life high, no i don't think so. But what is the big deal about smoking a joint?

Forget Paradise Put up a Parking Lot

I'm not calling the South Main Street area a paradise by any means but a court house, with no parking. For those of you who live in other parts of our wonderful city let me explain the plight that one has to live in this section of the city.
During the day it's like the movie Dawn of the Living Dead. Druggies walk up and down the street, make deals right in the open, and on their down time relax in Kennedy Park. They leave their needles there, and their empty alcohol containers there as well. Makes for a nice picnic with your kids.
The traffic is repulsive as well. Not only are people beeping their horns, but play music so loud that you can not even hear your own TV over the bass, and/or the Portuguese music.
It does have it's benefits too, it makes for entertaining people watching. On a good day you can come home with a gentleman passed out on your walkway or a neighbor drinking Natural Lite out of a champagne glass.
Parking is like a scavenger hunt. There are meters if you want to run out to your car every 2 hours. However if the meter maid is having a bad day you will still get a ticket no matter if you feed it or not. There is also 15 minute parking, which obviously is only good fro 15 minutes. Unless you own a store on the street then you can park there all day. I know this because the same truck is parked there all day, and it's funny to me that it never gets a ticket, EVER. So i guess the meter maids are crooked too.
Forget about parking during the "Great Feast". I had to pretty much beg and plead with officers so that I could just go home. I just do not believe that it is fair that I live 20 yard away from Kennedy Park, and they think they were going to force me to park almost a mile away. ( in case your interested I did get to park on Middle street, with some begging, pleading and name dropping.)
Now, there is going to be a court house and NO ONE thought of PARKING? Who had to sign their name to this? There is the Academy building, Borden East and West, the Government Center, not to mention small stores all along the street? Bad planning. at the very least.