POT: CIVIL CASE OR CRIME?

Peabody police Chief Robert Champagne squared off with Georgetown
attorney Steve Epstein over the ballot question to decriminalize
marijuana possession of 1 ounce or less.

The two met during a cable forum moderated by Salem News Editorial
Page Editor Nelson Benton at the BevCam studio, home to Beverly's
community access channel.

Benton spent 20 minutes with pro and con debaters for each of the
state's three ballot questions. The hourlong show will be broadcast
on local cable access channels throughout the region.

Question 1 proposes eliminating the state income tax, and Question 3
calls for a ban on dog racing. Voters go to the polls Nov. 4 to
decide the fate of all three ballot initiatives.

If Question 2 passes, a person found in possession of marijuana could
no longer be arrested. Offenders age 18 or older would be fined $100
and would also have to hand over their marijuana.

Those under 18 caught with an ounce or less of marijuana would also
have to attend a drug awareness program.

The fines would be collected by municipalities.

Epstein of the Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition advocates
replacing the current system of criminal penalties with the civil
citations outlined in Question 2.

Epstein claims Massachusetts has more marijuana users than any other
state in the country.

He said the current system has not worked. The attorney added that
today's laws needlessly sap court and police resources.

Champagne said the proposed law is backed by outsiders who wanted to
change the way business is done and leave "us in Massachusetts with
the residual problem."

In his 30 years in law enforcement, the primary goal of police
officers has not been not locking up first-time offenders.

"We're the No. 1 referral agency," Champagne said.

The police chief argued marijuana is a gateway drug that could lead
to other addictions. His experience is that addicts of drugs like
cocaine, heroin and OxyContin start somewhere.

He said outside forces are selling residents a bill of goods.

Champagne said first-time offenders typically receive education and
walk away without a record.

Question 2 does not eliminate a record, he said.

During the lively discussion, Champagne did his best to make voters
understand the proposed law would be a "radical departure from what
we're doing right now."

The mostly civil exchange escalated at one point. Champagne had to
tell Epstein not to point fingers at him.

The Georgetown attorney emphasized the law would take away "the
forbidden fruit" mentality of marijuana.

He said the best way to be sure a child behaved is with "swift and
sure punishment." The proposed law meets that standard, he said.