POT LAW NEEDS ATTENTION

A state lawmaker has filed two bills aimed at cleaning up the new
marijuana possession law passed by voters in November. The
legislation respects the spirit of that ballot question - but could
tie up several confusing loose ends. For starters, the ballot
question was maddeningly vague (intentionally so, we presume), leaving
open the possibility that, say, a student found in possession of
marijuana on school grounds could face no more serious punishment than
that meaningless $100 ticket. No suspension. No detention. True, the
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education issued an opinion
that schools are within their rights to punish that student, just as
they may a student caught with cigarettes or alcohol. But Rep. Cleon
Turner (D-Dennis) wisely anticipates that opinion to be challenged in
court. His bill would make it clear that schools and employers may
ban marijuana from school grounds and places of business.

Turner also filed a bill that would make failure to pay three
marijuana possession citations in a year a misdemeanor punishable by
up to $1,000 or six months in jail. Currently, there is no incentive
for a person to pay the civil fine, no matter how many tickets pile
up.

As Turner points out, such a change does not violate the voters'
intent to make possession of an ounce or less of marijuana a civil
offense punishable by a $100 fine. Just pay the citation, and
you've got nothing to worry about. Yes, the voters have spoken. But
lawmakers are well within their rights to protect public safety by
clarifying the loose language.