SPARKS FLY OVER PROPOSAL TO LEGALIZE POT

BOSTON -- Law enforcement officials from across the state stood on the
Statehouse steps yesterday to denounce Question 2 on the Nov. 4
ballot, which would decriminalize the possession of small amounts of
marijuana.

Cape and Islands District Attorney Michael O'Keefe, the president of
the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association, called it a "radical
measure that would worsen the problem created by drugs in our
communities."

He was joined by prosecutors, law enforcement officers, religious
leaders and community leaders from across the state. The ballot
question is also opposed by Gov. Deval Patrick and Attorney General
Martha Coakley.

The ballot question would make possession of one ounce or less of
marijuana a civil penalty with a fine up to $100. Currently, marijuana
possession is a criminal offense, with offenders subject to arrest, up
to six months in jail, and a $500 fine.

If Question 2 passes, offenders under 18 would have to attend a drug
awareness program, including 10 hours of community service, or face a
fine of up to $1,000.

Eleven other states have decriminalized possession of small amounts of
marijuana, including New York.

The backers of Question 2 say it costs the state tens of millions of
dollars a year to prosecute offenders, who then suffer "lifetime
punishment" with the creation of a criminal record. They said it can
put student loans at risk and put up barriers to employment and housing.

"Question 2 is a modest, mainstream proposal," Tom Kiley, a former
Massachusetts first assistant attorney general, said in a statement
released by Question 2 supporters this week.

The Committee for Sensible Marijuana Policy yesterday charged the
district attorneys violated campaign finance law by raising money to
oppose the question before they created a campaign committee. The
group filed complaints with the Office of Campaign and Political
Finance and the attorney general.

Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone told The Associated Press that
the complaint was a "ploy" to take attention away from the opposition.
The prosecutors formed a PAC to oppose the question, but then changed
their status to a ballot question committee on Sept. 5 after being
told to do so by the Office of Campaign and Political Finance, the AP
reported.