Update on Marijuana Decriminalization in Massachusetts

Prior to the Legislature's Joint Committee on the Judiciary process, several panelists gathered to discuss marijuana decriminalization in Massachusetts. According to the March 18, 2008 Daily Item article, ("Lawmakers Consider Marijuana Legalization")'The Legislature is constitutionally required to conduct a hearing on the Committee for Sensible Marijuana Policy ( CSMP ) initiative that creates a civil penalty and fine system for individuals possessing up to an ounce of marijuana. The initiative, House bill No. 4468, is titled "An Act Establishing a Sensible Marijuana Policy for the Commonwealth."

The Daily Item article adds, "According to Whitney A. Taylor, the CSMP campaign manager, 'by creating a civil penalty system for possession of up to an ounce of marijuana, the initiative will greatly reduce the human and financial costs of current laws. Massachusetts' taxpayers spend $29.5 million a year just to arrest and book these offenders. Even more costly is the creation of a criminal record for the approximately 7,500 offenders arrested every year. Criminal records are entered into the Criminal Offender Record Information ( CORI ) database and result in lifelong punishment, potentially making an individual ineligible for student loans, creating barriers to employment, and barring individuals from many housing opportunities, Taylor said."

The article notes, "The 1 p.m. hearing at the State House marks the third hurdle in the ballot initiative process: The legislature has until May 6 to pass the initiative and send it to the governor, draft its own version to place on the ballot, or take no action and allow CSMP to continue the initiative process, Taylor said."