Somerville rocks, so why does our Mayor oppose Question 2?

[ron_newman]

Somerville has a well-deserved image of being a haven for offbeat and creative types, so I'm confused and disappointed to see Mayor Joe take part in a press conference opposing Question 2.

As the city's press release itself points out, "Question 2 would decriminalize marijuana use and make possession of small amounts of marijuana punishable only with a fine similar to a traffic violation." (Actually, the police can also seize the marijuana.) That seems to me like just plain common sense. It saves the city money by not wasting police and court time on prosecuting a victimless "crime".

The campaigners against Question 2 call themselves the "Coalition for Safe Streets", but this question has nothing to do with either safety or streets.

Why did you do this, Mayor Joe?

Comments

[exsplusohs.livejournal.com]

I'm actually going to disagree with that. I've watched a lot of COPS (Yes, that counts as research and no, I'm not proud of the fact that I've watched so much but what can I say, I lead a decadent lifestyle) and the drunk people are, more often that not, always really freakin' combative.

If I were a cop, I'd feel much safer arresting someone who was stoned than someone who has that superhero mentality that alcohol gives some people.

[gwodder.livejournal.com]

Oh I don't mean easier for cops to manipulate, I mean for the average citizen