Ten Months Later, Hardly a Glitch for Legal Pot in Massachusetts

categories: marijuana legalization, War on Drugs

Published October 10, 2009 @ 10:53AM PT

When are we going to hear about the chronic malaise that has settled over Massachusetts since the state decriminalized pot in January? What about the wave of school dropouts? A spike in demand for "Half Baked" from Massachusetts Netflix hubs? At least a boon for pizza delivery? Nothing?

I've been watching the news, and there's been hardly a peep. In fact the few peeps we've heard have confirmed what I expected to happen: nothing. One story ran recently in the suburban MetroWest Daily News under the headline "Marijuana Law Has Had Little Effect on Schools," but the story opened with some anecdotes about high teenagers and took 10 paragraphs to get around to its point. Finally, the buried lede:

Overall, however, there hasn't been a serious problem with pot in schools.

"I thought I'd see more issues. But we haven't," said Milford High School Principal John Brucato.

Mass. State Rep. Scott Brown is concerned, however, that the decriminalization means more people are driving under the influence of pot. It's hard to say if this is true, but it's a separate issue and one that needs to be addressed like alcohol -- with prevention, education and transportation options, not with jail. Brown introduced a bill that would increase fines for possession of pot in a car from $100 to $1,000. This bill is a mistake and an obvious attempt to undermine a widely supported referndum, and maybe it has something to do with Brown's run for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination.

I'm solidly against driving under the influence of pot -- I give zero credence to the argument that one can drive safely while high. But this rule isn't the right way to address driving on drugs. DUI laws address drivers intoxicated on any substance, and intoxication is far more important to consider under the law than possession.

Unfortunately, open containers are hard to define when it comes to marijuana. Brown's bill only punishes drivers and passengers for marijuana in the passenger area. So at least drivers are safe if they put the pot in the trunk. That's something. No bill should punish possession without mention of use, however, and that's where this proposal goes wrong.

Here's the Marijuana Policy Project's position on driving under the influence of pot. Driving under the influence is a critical issue for the legalization community to discuss, and I'll post more on it next week.

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Comments (27)

well that seals it i"m movin to mass. this is a serious step forward in the right direction, states need to pass more laws decriminalizing or even better out right legalizing marijuana and ignoring federal bans, they'd not only save money on needless law enforcement for "victimless crimes" prossicution and federally mandated minimum sentences, but they'd make a whole lot of money by taxing the legal sale of cannabis, and selling it legally would save people money cause i'd be cheaper getting it legally rather then going to a dealer to get it

Posted by peter hansen on 10/10/2009 @ 04:29PM PT
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Me to I am a grower and love the plants save me a spot....

ABOUT 20 AC

Posted by Cherokee Fred Jesus on 10/10/2009 @ 05:58PM PT
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Its a dogs life. I'm proud to be a stoner, and I like those clones looking up at me. Smoke some weed, high till i die!!!!!! Alaskabudgirl

Posted by Carrie Klossner on 10/10/2009 @ 09:11PM PT
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10TH GENERATION FEMALE CLONES..........AHHHH

Posted by Cherokee Fred Jesus on 10/17/2009 @ 02:11PM PT
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Sounds like the Clone Wars!

Posted by Andrew Heugel on 10/17/2009 @ 02:32PM PT
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At least, Clone Wars would be peaceful!! LOL! I would love a clone war!!! alaskabudgirl at MySpace & Tagged Peace out!!!

Posted by Carrie Klossner on 10/19/2009 @ 08:47AM PT
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I LOVE POT

Posted by Nancy Kane on 10/22/2009 @ 06:44PM PT
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Marijuana needs to be treated like any other herb. Chamomile is the herbal form of valium. Valerian is the herbal form of a muscle relaxer. Cinnamon is the herbal form of a digestive aid, all the same as marijuana. marijuana seeds are one of the highest in antioxidants, of the seed group. It really does'nt need to be legal or ilegal. It needs to be regulated like any other processed herbal product. The negative propaganda put out there, is from big industries who feel they would have an economic crises( a government invention, the mighty dollar bill), like pharmaceutical, tobacco, and alcohol, etc, if marijuana was a competing product. Most ailments do have cures, but we, here in the United States, do not have the freedom of health choice. Our doctors, that charge us $100.00 for 10 minutes, get to choose what we can do with our health. People may actually cut down on their use of anti-depressants, that are harmful to our systems, and our environment, if marijuana became a product.

Posted by Carrie Klossner on 10/10/2009 @ 09:06PM PT
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It's high time to legalize marijuana nationwide and free the weed prisoners. Actually, we should free all prisoners of victimless "crimes." Then the focus can be on real crimes and real issues. Rev. Bookburn - Radio Volta

Posted by Rev Bookburn on 10/11/2009 @ 01:52PM PT
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Currently, the thing about weed is that it can be sold in large quantities for other illegals like undocumented guns, "hoes", and other- more severe drugs (like crack, meth, AHH others). However, if it weren't illegal - people wouldn't be able to!! (yay) but the Po's and Fed's gotta go after the REALLY horrible drugs because they are ruining lives and- well you know about the opium war- useless members of society blah blah.

Posted by Jordan Smith on 10/25/2009 @ 01:57PM PT
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hahaha, have you ever even tried driving high? im actualy better at it, your more concentrated and pay more attention

Posted by Justin Benoit on 10/11/2009 @ 04:26PM PT
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No. You are one of the many reasons the opponents to decriminalization and legalization have an argument to present in our opposition.

Posted by Fred Frankenberg on 10/12/2009 @ 09:39AM PT
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Opponents, will always have something to say against it. And it does increase vision, without slowing motor skills. Hello stoner hacky sac players and video gamers. Two activities that require quickness and precise mobility. And I've commented many times to people about idiots almost causing accidents in front of me that I'd have been part of if I didn't brake in time...... while in a higher state of mind.

Posted by Jim Kingsley on 10/14/2009 @ 08:34AM PT
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JUST TELLING IT LIKE IT IS.........I WOULD NEVER DRIVE DRUNK ON LEGAL LIQUOR THAT IS DANGEROUS.......CFJ

Posted by Cherokee Fred Jesus on 10/17/2009 @ 02:14PM PT
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I don't see how it isn't obvious to America that the drug war has, without a doubt, completely and utterly failed. Luckily the momentum is shifting in our favor. While Rep. Brown is introducing this bill, there has already been a bill introduced in Massachusetts to legalize and regulate cannabis like alcohol. With initiatives to do the same expected to be on the ballot in California and Oregon in 2010 and Nevada in 2012, this bill is likely to get swept away in the changing tide.

Posted by mikey johnson on 10/11/2009 @ 06:19PM PT
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I hope that this is an account of this to come when the exceptance of legislation to being passed to allow this illegal substance to becoming a fully functioning medicinal devise to embark upon.

This has become a win-win situation for the patients and the state alike as revenue and prescription agendas have been brought forth to adavance the involvment of transitioning marijuana into a semi-legal substance.

Posted by Aaron Shaw on 10/11/2009 @ 10:25PM PT
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I thought this might be interesting. I came upon it while searching the web for my latest pot news. It comes from the Salt Lake tribune web site. It basically says what the rest of the 420 friendly community already knew. That where the government failed at stopping the drug cartels *spits*, the american people have started making headway. It's a story about how the mom and pop shops in California producing high quality Maryjane are cutting into the profits of the cartels down south. I think this is another step in the right direction to ending the reign of the cartels and liberating us pot and country loving citizens. Of course I think people should just grow there own. Not good for mom and pop or the economy probably, but it definitely would be catastrophic for the cartels*spits*. Enjoy the article, I did.

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_13505677?source=rss

Posted by Jim Kingsley on 10/14/2009 @ 08:57AM PT
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It's high time (no pun intended) that we legalize pot across the nation. Just by releasing only the non-violent pot offenders from prison combined with the tax money that could be made off of it (like any other produce) in the colder and cloudier climates would make a significant dent in the nation's deficit. Legalize, regulate and tax all the other drugs and release all the non-violent drug offenders from the prisons and jails, and we wouldn't have a deficit.

But, a lot of cops, correction officers and lawyers would be out of work. The vast majority of our elected "representatives" are lawyers. Any wonder why something that is good for the country is taking so long to happen?

Posted by Andrew Heugel on 10/14/2009 @ 06:11PM PT
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Our country could make big big money, if the people were able to produce and sell marijuana and HEMP products. Unfortunately, ther are alot of people, who have no natural affection for their fellow man, which brings out the many other crimes that could be addressed, and fill the jails with, so realy no lack of jobs in the corrections industry. Our court systems are as crammed as our prisons, and a turn around for marijuana would certainly lesson the burden of our system, and our tax money. The war on drugs was a money making venture, only it costs more than it pays. I don't think marijuana needs to be classified as a drug. All the other herbs are not classified as drugs, but they all do have some kind of positive health attribute, like nutrients, Immune system boosters, digestive aids, muscle aids, sleep aids, blood cleaner(cayenne)& etc.

Posted by Carrie Klossner on 10/19/2009 @ 09:03AM PT
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HIGH TIME!! DITTO

Posted by Cherokee Fred Jesus on 10/17/2009 @ 02:14PM PT
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Responding to Carrie Klossner.

I totally agree, and honestly that natural affection for our fellow Americans and otherwise could seriously be increased by the legalization of marijuana, everywhere.

So much money could be made out of the industry of marijuana, and I believe it would increase the happiness of people in general.

When the use of medical marijuana was legalized in California, the states economy skyrocketed.

Why not elsewhere?

Posted by Nancy Kane on 10/22/2009 @ 06:43PM PT
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People who are high on pot are generally gentler and kinder than those intoxicated on liquor.

Marijuana is far less damaging to users' bodies than alcohol or tobacco. The main tissue damage from pot is due to it being smoked. It could be consumed as tea or cooked with food.

Restaurant sales might increase due to the "marijuana munchies."

But, would the marijuana munchies lead to an epidemic of obesity?>)

Posted by Andrew Heugel on 10/22/2009 @ 07:15PM PT
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Don't for get vapor form compared to smoke form. Way easier to inhale and more absorbed in the process. I'm just as clueless when it comes to possible obesity. But I never got fat when I was enjoying it regularly. Hope I don't when I start up again.

Posted by Jim Kingsley on 10/23/2009 @ 11:23AM PT
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At least Massachusetts is moving in the right direction-smart people!It is so-o-o-o-o- ridiculous for marijuana to be not legal.For goodness sakes it is a God given plant to grow freely alongside all other plants and to be used freely by all in what all ways god had intended it for.Stop the terrorizing that has been happening to people from misidentification and seed brought in on properties from birds,animals and weather! Put a smile on God's face and make legal all through the united states.

Posted by susan verhovec on 10/26/2009 @ 02:04PM PT
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You know when they legalize marijuana to where you can freely use it as God intended and let it grow freely along side all other plants as God intended so that it can be used and seen by everyone instead of just those freaking greedy criminals and the self selected greeedy law thugs that make everyone else look bad!!!!!!!!!

Posted by susan verhovec on 10/26/2009 @ 05:13PM PT
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Legalizing and decriminalizing marijuana will also make it no longer valuable to those greedy idiots-it will only be just another herb as God intended-that's the way it should be.Then we will be putting those freaking thugs out of business-yesssssss!!!!!!!!

Posted by susan verhovec on 10/26/2009 @ 05:21PM PT
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"I'm solidly against driving under the influence of pot -- I give zero credence to the argument that one can drive safely while high."

"Here's the Marijuana Policy Project's position on driving under the influence of pot. Driving under the influence is a critical issue for the legalization community to discuss, and I'll post more on it next week."

--Matt Kelly, Change.org, October 10, 2009

From the MPP position (following that link):

The most meaningful recent study measuring driver "culpability" (i.e., who is at fault) in 3,400 crashes over a 10–year period indicated that drivers with THC concentrations of less than five ng/mL in their blood have a crash risk no higher than that of drug–free users.[2]

2. O.H. Drummer, et al., "The involvement of drugs in drivers of motor vehicles killed in Australian road traffic crashes," Accident Analysis and Prevention, 2004. 36, pp. 239–48.

Posted by Matthew Bristow on 11/01/2009 @ 10:53PM PT
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Comments on Change.org are meant for further exploration and evaluation of the ideas covered in the posts. To that end, we welcome constructive comments. However, we reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive, abusive, or off-topic; that contain ad hominem attacks; or that are designed to subvert or hijack comment threads rather than contribute to them. Repeat offenders may be permanently removed from the site at our discretion.

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Matt has worked and volunteered in various capacities in criminal justice reform for several years. When he's not blogging, he works as the Online Communications Manager at the Innocence Project. Views expressed here are Matt's, and don't represent the positions of the Innocence Project.