Marijuana decriminalization, tax repeal, dog racing ban head for November ballot

July 2, 2008 05:54 PM Email| Comments (0)| Text size – +

By Globe Staff

Is it time to decriminalize marijuana in Massachusetts? Should the state abolish its income tax? Should dog racing be banned?

Massachusetts voters may get a chance to say yea or nay to all those proposals on the Nov. 4 ballot.

The secretary of state's office announced this afternoon that backers of "An Act Establishing a Sensible State Marihuana Policy," "The Small Government Act to End the Income Tax," and "An Act to Protect Greyhounds" had all filed a sufficient number of signatures to place their questions on the ballot.

The supporters of the proposals had all claimed that they had submitted a sufficient number, but the official word came after the close of business from the secretary of state's office.

The marijuana initiative would replace criminal penalties for possession of one ounce or less of the drug with civil penalties, making it comparable to a parking ticket. The Committee for Sensible Marijuana Policy says studies show the use of the drug does not rise with decriminalization. But opponents argue that while marijuana may seem harmless, it can impair people's senses, thus creating a link between use and car crashes.

The Committee for Small Government, led by libertarian Carla Howell, says the income tax repeal would save the average taxpayer $3,600 a year. But critics say it would have a catastrophic effect on needed government programs, costing the state roughly $12.7 billion, or about 40 percent of the budget.

The Committee to Protect Dogs says greyhound racing is cruel. One track owner is suing to block the ballot question and has said that hundreds of jobs could be lost if the measure is approved.