Pubdate: Thu, 11 Dec 2008
Source: Patriot Ledger, The  (Quincy, MA)
Copyright: 2008 GateHouse Media, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.patriotledger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1619
Author:  Steven S. Epstein
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n1073/a07.html

LAW ENFORCEMENT SHOULD STOP WHINING, THE PEOPLE SPOKE

Following Question 2 overwhelming victory, our servants in law
enforcement continue to question the people's wisdom in passing
Question 2. This leads me to question theirs.

They should have seen the tidal wave approaching. The success of
nonbinding public policy questions around the state in four
consecutive elections beginning  in 2000 provided ample warning.

Deputy Chief William Brooks blames out-of-state money (, SPEAK OUT:
Weed is no longer a crime; how did we get here?, Nov. 29.) He says
nothing of the free exposure opponents obtained for their position in
all forms of media, such as his own OpEd submission.

The voters were not hoodwinked. Before the campaign began, polls
showed over 70 percent favored reform.

The free publicity the opponents received affected voter opinion more
than the supposed misrepresentations of proponents in their
advertisements. Law enforcement needs to stop whining and accept the
people's decision; they no longer wanted DAs to have the power to
prosecute persons of all ages for possessing marijuana and for police
to have the power to hold people for bail whose only offense was
possessing marijuana.

Steven S. Epstein, Esq.

Georgetown
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin