POLICE ADJUSTING TO NEW MARIJUANA LAWS

WESTON - Last fall, voters in the commonwealth, by a margin of
approximately 2-1, voted in favor of Ballot Question 2, a state
statute to decriminalize the possession of an ounce or less of
marijuana. The new law went into effect on Jan. 2, 2009.

Almost immediately, the town of Weston issued two citations, both
subsequent to stops for motor vehicle violations. One involved a
21-year-old man from Newton, the other a 30-year-old man from Dover.
As of press deadlines, Wayland had reported no incidents.

Police in both towns, however, are concerned the public understand
that, under the provisions of the new law, possession of marijuana is
still illegal, as is public use of the substance, and that they still
have the right to search for probable cause.

At the same time, they are concerned about the message the new
legislation sends, particularly to minors.

According to Lt. Danny Maguire of the Weston Police Department, "The
biggest challenge we have is to convince people that, just because
the law has changed, marijuana has not become 'legal,' and that the
problem of drug addiction is still just as severe as always. There is
also the danger that people will think it's actually OK, under the
new law, to smoke a joint or two and get behind the wheel of a car."

In addition, there's anxiety over the public use of marijuana – on
the street or in a bar or restaurant, for example.

"I don't believe that people would want to be around others smoking
marijuana in public," Irving said. "Still there's the possibility
that some individuals would think that lighting up a joint is a more
acceptable risk than it was in the past. The law is going to have to
be tweaked and clarified a bit in that regard."

Supporters of Question 2 argued it would save the commonwealth money
and that instances of minor marijuana possession would no longer
affect a person's ability to obtain a job, housing and school loans.
Those who opposed it believed the law would give the wrong message to
young people, resulting in more use of drugs, and that it would make
it easier for drug dealers to sell marijuana without being arrested.

One ounce of marijuana is the equivalent of 200 to 300 joints,
according to Maguire.