LdyLunatic
02-14-2006, 12:33 PM
Boston -- Possession of less than an ounce of marijuana would no longer be considered a criminal offense under a bill which won the backing of a legislative committee on Monday.
The bill, which was approved by the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Committee on 6-1 vote, would make possession of a small amount of a marijuana a civil offense punishable by a $250 fine.
Possession of that amount of marijuana is now considered a criminal office punishable by up to six months in jail and a $500 fine for the first offense.
Sen. Steven Tolman, D-Brighton, co-chairman of the committee, said the goal was to make sure that someone found with a small amount of marijuana doesn't have a criminal record that could make it difficult for them to get into college, obtain student loans and make it harder to find a job.
Critics of the bill say it could encourage the use of marijuana by easing some of the social stigma.
The committee's approval is just the first step in a long process. The bill must by still approved by the House and Senate and sent to Gov. Mitt Romney's desk. If Romney vetoed the bill, it would need a two-thirds majority in both chambers to override the veto.
Several states have already approved similar legislation.
The bill, which was approved by the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Committee on 6-1 vote, would make possession of a small amount of a marijuana a civil offense punishable by a $250 fine.
Possession of that amount of marijuana is now considered a criminal office punishable by up to six months in jail and a $500 fine for the first offense.
Sen. Steven Tolman, D-Brighton, co-chairman of the committee, said the goal was to make sure that someone found with a small amount of marijuana doesn't have a criminal record that could make it difficult for them to get into college, obtain student loans and make it harder to find a job.
Critics of the bill say it could encourage the use of marijuana by easing some of the social stigma.
The committee's approval is just the first step in a long process. The bill must by still approved by the House and Senate and sent to Gov. Mitt Romney's desk. If Romney vetoed the bill, it would need a two-thirds majority in both chambers to override the veto.
Several states have already approved similar legislation.