1ST FINE GIVEN FOR MARIJUANA

SPRINGFIELD - A [redacted] man became the first person in
Springfield, and possibly the state, fined for marijuana possession
under the state's decriminalization law that went into effect Friday,
police said.

[redacted] was issued a $100 fine for
possession of less than a half gram of marijuana when he was stopped
by police in Springfield Plaza on Liberty Street at about 12:30 p.m.,
said Sgt. John M. Delaney, aide to Police Commissioner William J. Fitchet.

The citation was issued by detective Jaime Bruno.

Delaney said he heard that it was the first marijuana citation issued
in Massachusetts, but that was not confirmed.

Under the law that was approved by voters in November, people carrying
a half gram or less face a civil citation instead of arrest. Violators
aged 18 and above must pay the $100 civil penalty to a municipal
clerk. Or, offenders can appeal the citation to a clerk magistrate for
a civil hearing.

The amount of marijuana [redacted] had in his pockets was equal to about
two marijuana cigarettes, Delaney said.

[redacted] did not avoid arrest though. Officers found 119 rocks of crack
cocaine, packaged for sale, plus 45 bags of heroin in his car.

He was taken into custody and charged with trafficking between 28 and
100 grams of cocaine, and possession of heroin with intent to distribute.

If convicted, the trafficking charge is punishable by a mandatory
seven years in prison, Delaney said.

Of significance of the first the marijuana citation, Delaney said, "He
gets a slap on the wrist while he's doing a seven-year mandatory."

The new law passed despite lobbying by area district attorneys. Law
enforcement officials continue to criticize the law, saying it has
unintended consequences.

Supporters said the law is not difficult to enforce or understand.