Marijuana Public Policy Question #5 on the ballot

During the spring and early summer I spent the most time collecting signatures for the PPQ at Robinson's Hardware in the Pinefield Shopper Center, Concerts on the Common and at spring Town Meeting. It's always an experience asking for someones signature on a marijuana question. But you do get to hear how people feel about the subject and for the most part, as it was in the summer of 2000 when I collected signatures for the first Marijuana PPQ here in Framingham, most were very supportive. But at Town Meeting, it's a mystery to me why some Town Meeting Members would not want to let the question get on the ballot, while most believe in my right to ask sign the ballot without being asked. But democracy from the bottom up still counts and since 2000, free thinking reasonable people have voted in support of marijuana decriminalization and medicinal use. And when it came time to defend the State Law here in Framingham from the prohibitionist's actions, Town Meeting pushed back ALL attempts at banning and restricting a dispensary in this Town.

The positive reasons for legalization are numerous... the negative are few and farfetched. The one thing even the government has to agree with now, is that the majority of Americans believe marijuana should be legalized. And while some say these PPQ's mean little, I say, ignore the will of the people, and see what happens. Even the Feds are running around trying to figure out what to do. If all goes well with the PPQ's across the State, perhaps the deep pockets will fund a ballot question state wide in 2016.

Ballot Question 5 - PPQ Language

Shall the state representative from this district be instructed to vote for legislation that replaces the state’s restrictions on marijuana with a law that regulates the cultivation of and commerce in marijuana, by persons over the age of 21, in the same manner as laws that apply to the cultivation and sale of fruits, vegetables and herbs; such a law would (i) require persons covered by the law to take steps to prevent access to growing plants and marijuana by minors under the age of 18, (ii) punish distribution among and to such minors, (iii) retain for minors the civil offense of possessing one ounce or less of marijuana, and (iv) make no change to existing laws regarding driving while under the influence, and “drug-free” schools?

Breaking the silence

After Fall Town Meeting I've decided to resurrect this Blog. For the past few years, I've been so busy with work, 2 TV shows, the band, house repairs, Grandchildren, volunteerism and my responsibility as a Town Meeting member, there was little time left to update the Blog. As Dylan wrote in a song lately, "I used to care but, things have changed". And things have changed for better or worse as only time will tell. I last wrote about the unlawful killing of an innocent black man, Town Meeting spending and the local elections. Not much has changed since. The lawsuit against the Town for decriminalization and negligence is still on going, Town Meeting had the chance to NOT increase property taxes with a zero increase in the levy...all that was needed was to NOT spend 2 million dollars, somewhere, but as most of you know, spending is what we are good at, saving is not. With a few weeks to go, we now are being asked to vote for a slew of elected state wide offices, including the Governor. The big money candidates have side stepped most issues that of a concern to the vast majority of non political type voters. The process has once again, stifled free speech from the 3 other candidates and somehow we all go alone with it. Democracy from the bottom up is what this country was founded on and anyone who votes for either of the 2 big money candidates, only reinforce bad and unlawful behavior by both parties to restrict what others have to say.