No on Question 2
PROPONENTS of Question 2 on November's ballot say their goal is to keep people who are busted for marijuana possession from running up criminal records, which in turn could hurt their chances to get jobs and scholarships or even adopt children down the road. But the ballot measure, which would decriminalize the possession of under 1 ounce of marijuana, is a poor solution to the problem. The Globe recommends a no vote on Question 2.
If the ballot measure passes, people caught with marijuana would be subject to a $100 civil fine - the rough equivalent of a stiff parking ticket. (Offenders under 18 would also be subject to education and community-service requirements.) But an ounce of marijuana isn't a trivial amount - it's enough for dozens of joints - and the civil penalty would not escalate for subsequent offenses.
Anyway, it's not the case that jails are clogged with those whose only crime is possessing a trace of marijuana. Under current law, possession is punishable by fines of up to $500 and jail sentences of up to six months. But judges are required to place first-offenders on unsupervised probation, and records are sealed after six months. Ultimately, the offense doesn't appear on the record.
The state's Criminal Offender Record Information database does have significant flaws; CORI reports can be hard to interpret, often contain confusing data, and can end up barring even rehabilitated offenders from working in crucial sectors of the state's economy. This can have disastrous consequences particularly in poor, minority communities with high numbers of ex-cons. For this reason, the Globe has supported efforts by Governor Patrick and community leaders to reform the CORI system.
If proponents of Question 2 really want to fix the CORI system, they ought to focus on what information goes into the database and who should have access to it. If their aim is to liberalize the state's drug laws, they should make that argument openly.
Instead, proponents of Question 2 are using the blunt instrument of a public vote to make a significant change within a complex system of laws. This ballot measure is bad public policy. Voters ought to reject it. 