COURT GOT MESSAGE ON DECRIMINALIZATION

THE ONLY people for whom the decriminalization of small amounts of
marijuana in Massachusetts has proved "disorienting" are those in the
dwindling minority who believe that possession of marijuana even in
small amounts should still be criminal ("Ruling on marijuana searches
leaves behind a strange odor," Editorial, April 25).

What is truly disorienting is your assertion that our courts should
ignore the people's democratic decision on this issue. Sixty-five
percent of Massachusetts voters made clear in November 2008 that they
wanted possession of an ounce or less of marijuana no longer to be a
crime.

Afterward, questions did remain about the practical meaning of this
vote, but last week's ruling by the Supreme Judicial Court made things
more clear, not less. The court stated strongly that police cannot
simply ignore the will of the voters by continuing to treat possession
of an ounce or less of marijuana, or other non-criminal acts, as if
they provided justification for further investigation.

Criminalizing marijuana makes criminals out of ordinary people and
wastes police resources. The people of Massachusetts have had enough
of this, and even if some haven't gotten the message yet, the court
did.

Carol Rose

Executive director

American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts

Boston