MARIJUANA DEBATE HITS CITY STREETS

BROCKTON - The confiscation of a 700-pound haul of marijuana Monday by
Abington police has sparked local debate about the drug's legality.

The consensus of opinion among a dozen area residents interviewed
outside Westgate Mall in Brockton on Friday was generally that pot is
no big deal and should be legalized at least for medicinal purposes.

Derick Depina, 22, said he thinks legalization would lead to a
reduction in local crime.

"In this city, there's a lot of disputes between gangs," with much of
the reason being marijuana, said Depina, who grew up in Brockton and
now lives in Middleboro.

According to 27-year-old Tamisha Tnasha, of Brockton, marijuana users
are becoming younger and younger -- and that's a problem.

"In Brockton," Tnasha said, "there's the issue of easy
access."

Tnasha said she knows of children as young 13 and 14 who are dealing
and using marijuana.

Eighteen-year-old Amis Lopes, a Brockton High School graduate, said
that's all the more reason to make the drug legal and available to
everyone.

"People know how to get it when they want it, whether it's legal or
not," Lopes said. "Police should be worried more about taking guns off
the streets than people getting high."

Clay White, a 40-year resident of the city, agreed.

"In reality," White said, "we're never going to stop the drug problem.
Legalize it."

For some, however, the issue is more complicated.

Brockton resident Sharon Reed said she is all for people using
marijuana for medical purposes. But Reed respects the law and thinks
other should too, she said.

Kara Boyajian, 23, of Hanson, said she thinks it is a matter of making
good choices.

"I think if people used it responsibly," she said, "it could be
available to everyone."