MEASURE WOULD REDUCE MARIJUANA PENALTY

Activists for the decriminalization of marijuana won a victory
yesterday when the Committee for Sensible Marijuana Policy announced
it would have enough signatures to place a measure on the Nov. 4
ballot to reduce personal possession of an ounce or less to a civil
offense. The binding measure, if passed, would mean that offenders
would avoid a criminal record and pay a small fine comparable to a
parking ticket. The group says the measure would save the state almost
$30 million a year and prevent 7,500 people from entering the criminal
justice system annually. The proposal is similar to laws in 11 other
states, including Maine and New York.