MARIJUANA FEARS NOT JUSTIFIED

To the editor:

Law enforcement's concerns regarding implementation of Question 2
leading to increased marijuana use are misplaced ("Police Fear New
Marijuana Law Will Lead To Increased Use," November 9).

Many states, including Maine, have reduced pot possession penalties
to a civil violation and the sky has not fallen. In fact, the only
U.S. government study ever commissioned to assess whether the
enforcement of strict legal penalties impacts marijuana use found,
"Overall, the preponderance of the evidence which we have gathered
and examined points to the conclusion that decriminalization has had
virtually no effect either on the marijuana use or on related
attitudes and beliefs about marijuana use among American young
people." (Marijuana Decriminalization: The Impact on
youth. Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan: Ann Arbor)

Tens of thousands of Massachusetts' citizens have used marijuana at
some point in their lives.

Most consume cannabis responsibly, in the privacy of their own homes,
and in a manner similar to alcohol. Question 2 reflects this
reality, rather than denying it.
Paul Armentano