“This is highly problematic for our officers in enforcing the new law as obtaining a verifiable name and address is essential in ensuring that offenders comply with the law and enforcing the civil fine,” said Rivello.
But Michael Crawford, a Cambridge resident and President of MassCann: the Mass.Cannabis Reform Coalition, said the police need to have more scientific evidence and hard facts than those stated in the report to back up their claims that marijuana usage is becoming more of a problem in Cambridge.
“It seemed like the police were trying to make a political case,” said Crawford, who attended the first public hearing.
Crawford said that he believes that if the ordinances go into effect, there will be little change in the number of citations issued.
“The only effect I think it will have will be that people may not know of the change in the fine and won’t be able to pay it, resulting in a criminal offense,” said Crawford.
Crawford said that he thinks the Cambridge Police are doing a good job cracking down on violence in the city, but that he does not feel the ordinances will do anything to change the behavior of marijuana users.
“I think the cops do care about the community and the kids in Cambridge,” said Crawford. “I feel that we just have a difference of opinions.”
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