SHANNON'S LEGAL POT BILL GETS ATTENTION

Setting up a conflict with the Romney administration, lawmakers on
Monday advanced a longstanding Beacon Hill proposal to decriminalize
the possession of enough marijuana for teens to roll dozens of joints.

Approved 6-1 by the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Committee, the
proposal would change the penalty for possessing less than an ounce
of marijuana to a $250 civil fine for anyone 18 years old and younger.

Currently, someone convicted of such an offense can be sent to jail
for up to six months for the crime and pay a $500 fine for a first offense.

According to Lea Palleria Cox of Concerned Citizens for Drug
Prevention Inc. and a bill opponent, an ounce of marijuana equals
roughly 57 joints. The issue has been a source of contention for
years in the Legislature, with the late Sen. Charles Shannon as its
biggest advocate.

Lawmakers in the past have included a similar provision in the
budget, only to have it vetoed by former Acting Gov. Jane Swift.
Gov. Mitt Romney is also a likely opponent to the proposal; Lt.
Gov. Kerry Healey has expressed her opposition to proposal, saying
it could treat marijuana lightly under the law, and Romney's
spokesman said lawmakers should remain tough on drugs.