Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

SecularMotion

(7,981 posts)
Thu Nov 15, 2012, 06:38 PM Nov 2012

ACLU, prosecutors dispute whether sharing marijuana constitutes drug ‘distribution’

Civil liberties activists today challenged prosecutors’ arguments that sharing a small amount of marijuana among friends constitutes drug “distribution.”

“The Commonwealth is simply wrong to argue that sharing marijuana constitutes criminal distribution,” Matthew R. Segal, legal director for the ACLU of Massachusetts, said in a statement. “More fundamentally, the Commonwealth’s argument contradicts the will of the voters who approved marijuana decriminalization in 2008. The voters sought to limit marijuana prosecutions, not to invite creative ways for the Commonwealth to increase them.”

The activists warned that someone convicted of distributing marijuana could face up to 2 years in jail for the offense. And they suggested that anyone who shares a marijuana cigarette could be deemed a distributor.

The 2008 ballot referendum decriminalized possession of less than one ounce of marijuana.

http://www.boston.com/metrodesk/2012/11/15/aclu-prosecutors-have-claimed-marijuana-distribution-when-people-are-simply-sharing/grDTJ3kmXsiogsVvy1tpGM/story.html
2 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
ACLU, prosecutors dispute whether sharing marijuana constitutes drug ‘distribution’ (Original Post) SecularMotion Nov 2012 OP
You mean sharing a joint is distribution? longship Nov 2012 #1
Duuuuuude MisterScruffles Nov 2012 #2
Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Massachusetts»ACLU, prosecutors dispute...