Cape & Islands News

District attorney opposes decriminalization of marijuana

O'Keefe contributes money to effort to defeat Nov. 4 ballot question
Calls effort "an insidious attempt to decriminalize drugs"

By James Kinsella

The movie Reefer Madness (aka Tell Your Children) was a 1936 exploitation film revolving around the tragic events that ensue when high school students are lured by pushers to try "marihuana": a hit and run accident, manslaughter, suicide, rape, and descent into madness all ensue.

A political committee organized on behalf of Cape and Islands District Attorney Michael O'Keefe has contributed $2,275 to a committee opposing the decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana in Massachusetts.

The O'Keefe Committee is among the donors to the Coalition to Save Our Streets, a committee organized to oppose Question 2, which will appear on the ballot in the Nov. 4 general election.

O'Keefe calls the ballot proposal "an insidious attempt to decriminalize drugs, starting with marijuana."

Whitney Taylor, campaign manager for the Committee for a Sensible Marijuana Policy, said the majority of Massachusetts voters are backing the ballot initiative "because what we're doing now isn't working."

Under Question 2, people 18 or older found in possession of an ounce or less of marijuana would be subject to a civil penalty and the forfeiture of the marijuana. People younger than 18 would be subject to the penalty, the forfeiture, and be required to complete a drug awareness program and community service.

For people found possessing small amounts of marijuana, the proposed law effectively would convert the violation to something akin to a traffic ticket.

The O'Keefe Committee is among 10 committees representing district attorneys in Massachusetts that have contributed to the coalition. According to records on file at the state Office of Campaign Finance, committees representing every district attorney save Hampden County District Attorney William M. Bennett have contributed to the coalition. Most gave exactly or close to $2,275.

Donations are running 15 to 1 against the DAs

Through Friday, contributions to the coalition total $27,670. The coalition lists one expenditure: $21,000 to O'Neill and Associates of Boston for consulting. O'Neill and Associates is headed by Thomas P. O'Neill III, the son of the late speaker of U.S. House of Representatives, Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neill Jr.

So far, the coalition has been financially swamped by the Committee for Sensible Marijuana Policy, which is backing the ballot proposal. The committee received $429,331 in financial contributions in 2007 - $400,000 of which came from billionaire George Soros - and $219,142 this year.

Taylor said the committee needed to raise that kind of money to get the question on the Nov. 4 ballot before Massachusetts voters. She said the committee spent more than $330,000 to mount a petition drive to gather the 77,692 signatures needed to place the question on the ballot.

O'Keefe said Monday the ballot initiative would give teenagers the opportunity to walk around with 20 marijuana joints with little to fear.

"This is not your father's marijuana of 20 or 30 years ago," the district attorney said. He said marijuana now is far more potent, and contains substances designed to addict the user.

He also said the rates of automobile and industrial accidents go up when marijuana is involved.

Taylor said statements that current marjuana is much more potent and is infused with addictive substances are "completely untrue."

She faults treating marijuana possession, which she characterizes as a "low-level, non-violent" violation, as a criminal offense.

"...What we're doing now isn't working."       - Whitney TaylorShe said an arrest for marijuana possession creates a criminal record that will return to haunt that person when he or she tries to get a job or find housing. Further, she said a conviction would prevent that person for qualifying for student loans.

Taylor said the initiative actually would result in more punishment for young people found possessing marijuana. Rather than just receiving probation, she said, they will be required to complete 10 hours of community service and complete a drug awareness program. But no offense will be attached to their permanent record.

O'Keefe said the state's district attorneys, police chiefs and sheriffs are united in opposing Question 2. They plan to launch a statewide campaign Sept. 17 to defeat the measure.

"This is just a bad message to give to kids," O'Keefe said. "We're going to fight very hard to see it's defeated."