To the editor: This is an open letter to state Sen. Scott Brown, R-Wrentham, and Rep. Richard Ross, R-Wrentham:I understand you have petitioned for marijuana legislation. What is the intent of the bill?
The statement,"possesses any amount of marijuana in the passenger area of any motor vehicle shall be punished by a fine of not less than $1,000."
Does "passenger area" mean anywhere in the vehicle other than the driver's seat? If a driver has marijuana on his person, he is currently subject to the $100 fine. If a passenger has marijuana in his possession, the passenger gets a $100 fine and the driver will be charged $1,000 and lose his license for up to 90 days? If the intent is to bring this in line with the open container law, what is considered "open" marijuana?
This would be an attempt to recriminalize possession.
There was a surprising, but very definite vote by your constituents to impose $100 fine and decriminalize marijuana. This bill attempts to subvert the vote of the citizens of the Commonwealth.
Sen. Brown has been quoted: "I was asked to file it by several police chiefs who wanted clarification." What requires clarification? Decriminalization puts an end the senseless waste of tax dollars prosecuting marijuana possession, as well as the related consequences to the individual.
This is what the citizens intended by casting their votes in passage of the ballot question. Additional "clarification" is unnecessary.
The commonwealth has so many real problems. It is maddening to know my elected representatives will spend time on this issue. It has been decided.
Please withdraw this bill. We are counting on you, our representatives, to be our voice. We have spoken.
Cheryle Reidel, Wrentham
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To catch up on Senator Scott Brown's marijuana re-crim bill and the protest and media stories
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