- Sep 26, 2000
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But you don't have to pay it.
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1276537&srvc=rss
Some Mass. towns give up on marijuana enforcement
BOSTON - Some Massachusetts towns have given up enforcing a law that decriminalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana, saying the law is written with too many loopholes to be effective.
The law established a civil fine of $100 for those caught with an ounce or less of marijuana. That replaced what had been a criminal offense carrying a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $500 fine, also for possession of an ounce or less of the drug.
But the law - overwhelmingly passed as a ballot measure in November 2008 - does not require offenders correctly identify themselves nor does it provide a way to force them to pay the fines.
That has led to a patchwork of enforcement across the state, with some communities handing out hundreds of civil citations and others turning a blind eye to personal marijuana use.
"A number of communities have tried, but a number have just given up," said Wayne Sampson, executive director of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association.
Police officials say that with most civil citations, such as speeding tickets, there are repercussions for those who don’t pay the fines. In some cases, police can even levy criminal charges against people who fail to pay.
But they cannot do so in the case of possession of less than an ounce of pot. The only recourse for city and town clerks offices is to take offenders to small claims court, which clerks say isn’t worth the time or effort to recoup $100.
"The ticketing of the individuals isn’t effective without a back up or other consequences for nonpayment of fines," New Bedford Police Chief Ronald Teachman said.
Other officers say they’re handcuffed because the law doesn’t require people caught with small amounts of marijuana to provide identification.
"If they tell you their name is Yogi Berra or Ronald McDonald, nothing allows for further positive identification," Sampson said.
Cliffs:
Get caught with an ounce or less in Massachusettes and the law does not require you to identify yourself.
You can give the police any name you want.
Even if you give them your correct name there is no provision for enforcement of the fine.
The town would have to take you to small claims court to recover the 100 dollar fine and its not worth it.
Smoke your mary jane in Mass with impunity.
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1276537&srvc=rss
Some Mass. towns give up on marijuana enforcement
BOSTON - Some Massachusetts towns have given up enforcing a law that decriminalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana, saying the law is written with too many loopholes to be effective.
The law established a civil fine of $100 for those caught with an ounce or less of marijuana. That replaced what had been a criminal offense carrying a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $500 fine, also for possession of an ounce or less of the drug.
But the law - overwhelmingly passed as a ballot measure in November 2008 - does not require offenders correctly identify themselves nor does it provide a way to force them to pay the fines.
That has led to a patchwork of enforcement across the state, with some communities handing out hundreds of civil citations and others turning a blind eye to personal marijuana use.
"A number of communities have tried, but a number have just given up," said Wayne Sampson, executive director of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association.
Police officials say that with most civil citations, such as speeding tickets, there are repercussions for those who don’t pay the fines. In some cases, police can even levy criminal charges against people who fail to pay.
But they cannot do so in the case of possession of less than an ounce of pot. The only recourse for city and town clerks offices is to take offenders to small claims court, which clerks say isn’t worth the time or effort to recoup $100.
"The ticketing of the individuals isn’t effective without a back up or other consequences for nonpayment of fines," New Bedford Police Chief Ronald Teachman said.
Other officers say they’re handcuffed because the law doesn’t require people caught with small amounts of marijuana to provide identification.
"If they tell you their name is Yogi Berra or Ronald McDonald, nothing allows for further positive identification," Sampson said.
Cliffs:
Get caught with an ounce or less in Massachusettes and the law does not require you to identify yourself.
You can give the police any name you want.
Even if you give them your correct name there is no provision for enforcement of the fine.
The town would have to take you to small claims court to recover the 100 dollar fine and its not worth it.
Smoke your mary jane in Mass with impunity.
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