HINGHAM CRUISERS EQUIPPED WITH MARIJUANA SCALES

HINGHAM, Mass. -- Possession of less than 1 ounce of marijuana has
been decriminalized, but marijuana has not been legalized.

That is the message that Hingham police want to get out there.

Since the "decriminalization law" went into effect on Jan. 2 police
have imposed civil fines on five individuals in four Hingham
incidents. If those incidents had occurred before Jan. 2, arrests
would have been made.

The number of marijuana incidents is high for a time period of less
than a month, police said. One incident involved two people smoking
pot in a parking lot, and another involved a 17-year-old who had
previously been arrested twice for possession of marijuana.

Many people think the vote made possession of marijuana legal so we
are seeing people more brazen than ever smoking pot," said police
spokesman Lt. Michael Peraino.

Police cruisers are equipped with battery-operated scales to weigh
the marijuana, Peraino said.

In one of the incidents, the offender immediately said: "it is under
an ounce," said Peraino, adding that drug dealers are now selling
marijuana in amounts that are just under 1 ounce. From 40 to 50
joints (marijuana cigarettes) can be made from 1 ounce. The street
price for an ounce of marijuana is $200-$300, police said.

The citations (like tickets) include the date, time and location of
the incident; name, address, date of birth, and the driver's license
number of the person possessing the drug. Offenders can pay the $100
fine within 21 days to the town clerk or ask for a hearing before the
clerk magistrate at Hingham District Court if they want to fight the
fine. The money goes into the town's general fund.

If the offender does not pay the fine or ask for hearing, a criminal
complaint will be issued that will result in a court hearing. If the
accused does not respond to that hearing, a warrant will be issued
for his or her arrest, police said.

The law includes special provisions for those under 18, Peraino said.
Police provide the parent or guardian with a copy of the citation and
a notice informing them that the teen has one year to complete a
drug-awareness program with a minimum of four hours classroom
instruction and 10 hours of community service. A certificate of
completion of the program must be filed with the clerk of courts. If
not filed within a year, the clerk notifies the offender and the
parents or guardian. The fine can be increased to $1,000, Peraino said.

Under the law, both the offender and the parent or guardian will be
jointly responsible to pay the $1,000," he said.

Peraino said selling or distributing marijuana is punishable
criminally even if the quantity is less than 1 ounce. "If there is
probable cause that the person is distributing marijuana, we can
still make an arrest," he said.

Peraino said DARE officer Rob Ramsey is addressing the new marijuana
law in his classes.

Peraino, a former DARE officer, said the new law sends the wrong message.

In spite of what proponents of the new law have said, it is a gateway
drug, Peraino said.

All of our arrests for cocaine or heroin - every one of the offenders
started with marijuana," he said. "Marijuana is not a healthy thing
to do. It affects the brain and thinking ability."

Peraino said if police determine a motorist is impaired by marijuana
that individual could be arrested and charged with operating under
the influence, even if the amount of marijuana in his or her
possession is less than an ounce.