Massachusetts Police Balk at Ticketing Marijuana Offenders

"Those convicted of possession could also receive a criminal record that could taint their job prospects for years, the backers said."

So don't smoke marijuana, easy way not to taint your job prospects.

So let's see if I got this right. You catch someone smoking Marijuana and want to issue them a citation. You can ask but they don't have to provide you and ID?

Does that mean if you catch someone commit another minor offense and stop them, they don't have to provide ID eather, they can just thumb their nose at you?

Your going to have one hell of a state filing system with people with the last name of , Smith, Jones and Kennedy.

Mybe if you see someone with a joint, you should just offer them a light. I feel sorry for peace officers in that state.

So let's get this straight...an officer who stops a person for speeding can't demand positive ID from a person? Or another non-criminal infraction such as city park laws or any other non-criminal infraction? What about obstruction laws? This sounds so wrong it almost makes me question the article's accuracy. Any cops from Mass want to explain it for the rest of us?

Suspects don't have to identify themselves to police for marijuana possession? Police can't arrest for refusing to identify? What about traffic infractions?

I don't have a problem with citation for small amounts of first offense marijuana, but not having to identify yourself to the Po-Po? In Virginia we can arrest specifically for refusing to identify or on the basis that we feel that said Toad will not show for court.

That law is unbelievable. Another reason, I will not be living in the land of Barney Frank, John Kerry and the Kennedy "Clan."

I cannot fathom a state where it is not a criminal violation to give officers a false name. Come to Arkansas and do that, and you will be arrested for "Criminal Impersonation".

In MA if someone refuses to ID themselves in booking (after arrest) while operating a vehicle, or while "hindering" a criminal investigation. They are subject to arrest, the latter being a felony, which up until the 2nd is what we could use if joe *censored*head on the street corner says "joe smith" during a stop for marijuana. But since Marijuana is no longer criminal he is no longer "hindering a criminal investigation".

This state sucks for L.E. very far to the left ultra liberal judges, OUI (DUI) cases with breath tests scores well above .08 reguarlly get tossed at bench trials, felony larceny or assault with a weapon is gaurenteed probation..... etc etc etc

Wow, this is amazing. I feel bad for the LEO's in Mass. Sadly it seems more and more places are finding a way to be softer on people who break the law by smoking marijuana. Whats next, armed robbery becomes a common and everyday ordeal so we make it a non criminal offense? Its illegal, keep it illegal, and keep fighting the war on drugs. Why be soft? The excuse about it ruining future job prospects is stupid, don't smoke it.

Its too bad this state passed such a poor law. I can not believe that individuals can smoke weed on the streets, and truly law enforcement officers can't do anything about it. I can't believe the voters voted to accept this change, I truly don't believe they knew how much an "ounce" of marijuana is or what can be done with it.

So the public voted on this law. How about if we give the public the option to decriminalize driving 15 miles over the speed limit ? Or stealing something worth less than $50 with no criminal penalty?

This is the most ridiculous thing I have heard. Things like this don't even happen in CA and we all know that everything goes in Cali. Simply amazing...what's next for MA? Possesion of less than an eightball of Coke gets you a fine?