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Massachusetts Gone To Pot? Cops Won't Ticket Marijuana Users

allheadlinenews.com — Police departments across the state of Massachusetts reportedly will not ticket people in possession of marijuana, even if they are caught smoking it. Officials say a new law that decriminalizes having small amounts of "pot" makes it impossible to enforce penalties because it is poorly written. "We're just basically not enforcing it right now,"

Who dugg this? Made popular Jan 6, 2009

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  • Jazzzzz, on 01/05/2009, -3/+277Finally some cops figure there are more important problems to solve.
  • inactive, on 01/05/2009, -4/+132Awesome. One (small) step closer to legalization. Or at least decriminalization.
  • LeepII, on 01/05/2009, -1/+118What the article misses was the fact that police still intend to confiscate the pot, they just won't bust people for it. (Guess cops have to get their pot somewhere).
  • ClevelandBrown, on 01/06/2009, -2/+107This is how it should be everywhere. Marijuana, used in moderation, is no more harmful than tobacco or alcohol. It's retarded that it's still illegal.
  • fxu1989, on 01/06/2009, -0/+83I prefer getting my pot confiscated than going to jail for it.
  • NeonDistraction, on 01/06/2009, -1/+55If we are being technical, marijuana is less harmful than alcohol or tobacco.
  • hawkspur, on 01/06/2009, -1/+50It's only illegal because of lobbying in the early half of this century that was fundamentally trying to criminalize all the Mexican immigrants because they were thought to be "dangerous" and the laws havn't been repealed since.
  • Drazzard, on 01/05/2009, -3/+49badass.
  • morninglorii, on 01/06/2009, -2/+43I live in Massachusetts. When January 1st (the day that the law officially went into effect) came, I smoked with some friends. It was the first time I was ever able to enjoy being high without any accompanying paranoia whatsoever, and it made the experience significantly better.
  • FasterGun, on 01/06/2009, -2/+39Smoking a bong while driving in your car is probably one of the most retarded things ive ever heard.
  • VagueRant, on 01/06/2009, -6/+43The reason you are getting dugg down is because you admit to driving while under the influence.

    If you're gonna light up, do it responsibly.
  • Nauree, on 01/06/2009, -0/+37I'm fairly sure bear attacks are legal.
  • inactive, on 01/06/2009, -4/+40Every moving thing that liveth shall be food for you; As the green herb have I given you all.

    -Genesis 9:3-
  • alapoet, on 01/06/2009, -5/+36Cops can be such whiners about laws being "poorly written," when they really just have a problem with the law itself.

    On the other hand, it's good that they aren't ticketing marijuana users, even though they're still stealing their pot.
  • lindgren07, on 01/06/2009, -2/+32I wonder if this will have a domino effect on the number of White Castles in the state.
  • inactive, on 01/06/2009, -1/+29So is hemlock. Just because something is natural doesn't mean it is harmless. Bear attacks are natural too.

    Although I completely agree it should be legal because it isn't as bad as tobacco and alcohol, and isn't worth enforcing. I just hate the argument that natural=good.
  • twon, on 01/06/2009, -1/+29Gay marriage, pot legalization... looks like one state actually let's people live there own life and do what they want with it. A fine example for the other 49!
  • Digitalfilm43, on 01/06/2009, -1/+26You're one of the numbnuts that going to ruin it for the rest of us all!
    Don't be stupid about it. Don't change a damn thing. Just know that if you happen to get caught, you no longer have to fear being arrested. Seriously, smoke all the weed you want, but smoke it responsibly.
  • mebethekoko, on 01/06/2009, -8/+33Yeah, those donuts are not gonna eat themselves.
  • Nauree, on 01/06/2009, -11/+35So basically, I can go in public, while smoking a bong, cop asks me to see my ID, I say No, and...nothing else happens?

    WINWINWIWNWINWINWINWINWINWINWINWINWINWIN
  • MrZaiko, on 01/06/2009, -0/+23I voted for this. Question #2 this is the first time I feel the impact of democracy.
    ...im 27 years old
  • qwertydvorak, on 01/06/2009, -0/+22"All the "fight for your rights" stuff aside."

    it all started when one black woman refused to sit in the back of the bus. why did she do it ? All the "fight for your rights" stuff aside. Why take such a huge risk?
  • inactive, on 01/06/2009, -0/+22much less harmful.
  • inactive, on 01/06/2009, -7/+26Marijuana is a PLANT. Why the fark is it illegal? "God" made it, right? I'm not into pot any more but when I was, I would just get baked and watch a movie or something. Wasn't hurting anybody. It's just silly.
  • ChildeRoland420, on 01/06/2009, -0/+18It's already happened in many other states, and I'm pretty sure they haven't seen negative effects.
  • xprojects, on 01/06/2009, -1/+17I have a lot of respect for the cops around Boston, I've been living here 5 years and I've always felt comfortable smoking on the front stoop.
  • inactive, on 01/06/2009, -1/+17I lock myself in a sub basement I dug in my basement, that has a couple smoke/air filtration devices. I also have an air de-ionizer and several fragrance oil lamps burning 27/7 etc... I smoke without any paranoia too ;) ........
  • zakbroman, on 01/06/2009, -2/+17It's true. I smoke joints all the time in public (living in the Allston / Brighton area), and have never received any complaints.
  • robbie32, on 01/06/2009, -0/+15I hope this spreads. We have more important things to spend our tax dollars on.
  • spookyttws, on 01/06/2009, -1/+15My hopes are that within the next 5 years, we'll be able to have small amounts of pot legal here in California (for all, not just those with 'prescriptions'). I really think it'll happen, but I don't want to get my hopes up.
  • inactive, on 01/06/2009, -1/+15@jaiden - WHOOSH..... :)
  • vashth3stampede, on 01/06/2009, -1/+15read: it is decriminalized (at least in massachusetts)
  • inactive, on 01/06/2009, -0/+13The cotton industry lobbyists had a lot to do with it too. Hemp was poised to really encroach upon their take of the industry. Most of the drugs made illegal in this country have very little to do with the actual harm they may cause you and it's of course more about the money companies would loose to the drug.

    If pot is legalized, tobacco and alcohol will take a huge dent in sales.... How can you make money off of something the dumbest of people can easily grow in their backyard etc...hell pot grows itself.....
  • cheechman85, on 01/06/2009, -1/+14Be a little bit more discrete dude... it's because of people like you that this whole ***** thing will get ruined. You are an idiot. Who smokes a BONG in a car while driving? You do, apparently.
  • crownedgriffin, on 01/06/2009, -1/+14...and I bet the city is no better or worse than it was before.
  • peaceninja, on 01/06/2009, -0/+12Don't be sore because NY is several years behind us.

    Respectfully Yours,

    MA
  • inactive, on 01/06/2009, -1/+13I'd rather see their reason for not enforcing it being instead the fact it is a stupid and dictatorial law. So-called "community standards" ought not to have ever extended to what one does with one's own body. "Majority rule" has to do with community standards, not with personal ones.

    Laws regarding personal consumption of "controlled substances" are simply an expression of tribalism. A human being isn't primarily a "member" of a group. They are primarily individuals with individual needs, wants, wishes, values and goals. The group is only legitimate when formed of individuals voluntarily. A group formed out of physical or mental coercion is simply a mob and its slaves.

    Other people are not your property, nor you theirs. Someday, american culture will mature to full respect of that fact.

  • inactive, on 01/06/2009, -0/+11Well, I think that I'm just about done here in Florida. Massachusetts, here I come!
  • mnocket, on 01/06/2009, -0/+11I'm a conservative but I think this could be a good experiment. If their are no significant negative effects in Massachusetts, I would support expanding this policy to other states. If, on the other hand, there are significant negative effects on society, then we can factually state that we tried that and it didn't work out well.
  • inactive, on 01/06/2009, -0/+11From what I heard, the decriminalization went into effect January 5th which was 30 days after the Secretary of the Commonwealth certified the election results however I have had friends who have been caught since November 4th and the pot was confiscated and they were sent on their way with no tickets whatsoever.

    I have also heard that some (maybe all?) the county courts were advised by their DA to postpone small possession (under an ounce) cases until further notice to deal with bigger priorities.

    Being that question 2 was just made official yesterday, I think some sort of ticket procedure will eventually be weened in. I think the state was just caught unexpectedly by the citizens seeing how the Governor, AG and DAs opposed it, still no excuse but they're probably just having a slow start at things.
  • rotundo, on 01/06/2009, -0/+11@AsusMobo - just about nobody would smoke 20 joints in a day, but lots of people smoke 20 cigs. You can't make up comparisions with no basis in reality. Do you think 20 Advil are less dangerous than 20 cigs? Or what about 20 bottles of jack daniels? Your comment makes no sense.

    Again: normal marijuana usage is no more dangerous than normal alcohol usage or normal tobacco usage.
  • bakshi, on 01/06/2009, -2/+13NOOOOOO! This can't happen! Marijuana makes people violent and want to kill people! Soon we'll have stoned maniacs running the streets of Boston with machetes chopping peoples heads off!

    Seriously, for the good of the state BAN IT BAN IT BAN IT!
  • Testiculese, on 01/06/2009, -0/+11Probably be better. Who, when high, gets into a fight?
  • ravedigger, on 01/06/2009, -0/+11I'm so glad I'm a Masshole.
  • Chris_F, on 01/06/2009, -2/+12Wait, you actually go to work?
  • Digitalfilm43, on 01/06/2009, -0/+10Exactly. NORML should run "Smoke it, don't flaunt it" PSA's & billboards
  • whatsthatyou, on 01/06/2009, -0/+10they don't necessarily even take it away, if you give them lip yes if not at least in Boston your looking at a "whats all this then" and a possible "put that away" i have had a two friends on two separate occasion have had nothing happen to them besides the cop telling them to stop and leave. personally i smoke way less than i probably should due to the new laws and such but at the same time it shouldn't be illegal , but i like a clear head
  • elscorcho717, on 01/06/2009, -0/+10So you'd support a return to the prohibition of alcohol as well? Just looking for a little consistency in your argument. We all saw how well that turned out.
  • NeonDistraction, on 01/06/2009, -0/+10Ya know what? If they are going to let me go, they can have my pot. I can always buy more smoke, but a conviction on drug-based charges sticks with you the rest of your life.
  • inactive, on 01/06/2009, -0/+10I live in MA, and I like having $100, so I don't flaunt it.
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