Reefer Madness infects Billerica 2009 Annual Fall Town Meeting, begins Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at 7:30 PM

Billerica residents whether members of Town Meeting or not are urged to attend and speak out.

They are also urged to contact Town Meeting Members and urge them to just say NO.

ARTICLE 28 – TO ADOPT A GENERAL BY-LAW

To see if the Town will vote to adopt a Marijuana or Tetrahydrocannabinol By-Law by adding the following Section 14 to Article VI of the General By-Laws:

14. Marijuana or Tetrahydrocannabinol: Possession and Consumption

14.1 The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this section:

Marijuana or Tetrahydrocannabinol: As defined in M.G.L. Chapter 94C, Section 1 as amended.

Public Property: All Town commons, school grounds, municipal parking lots, public cemeteries, municipal playgrounds, public beaches, public boat landings, and all real property, building, or offices owned by or leased to the Town or occupied or used by any board, department, committee, commission or office of the Town.

Public Way: The entire bounds of any way, street, road, avenue or lane which is publicly maintained and used for vehicular travel. This shall include the entire width of any sidewalk used in conjunction with said way.

14.2 No person, whether in or upon a vehicle, motor vehicle, conveyance, or on foot, shall burn, smoke, ingest, or otherwise consume or possess marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinol on any public way or on any way to which the public has a right of access as invitees or licensees.

14.3 No person shall bring any marijuana or Tetrahydrocannabinol on any public property or possess or consume any marijuana or Tetrahydrocannabinol in or upon any public property.

14.4 Any marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinol possessed or consumed in violation of this By-Law shall be seized, held, and disposed of in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 94C Section 47A.

14.5 Whoever is found in violation of the By-Law shall, when requested by an official authorized to enforce this By-Law, state his true name and address to said official.

14.6 Violations of this section are punishable by a fine of three hundred dollars ($300.00) for each offense. A penalty imposed under this By-Law shall be in addition to any civil penalty imposed under M.G.L. Chapter 94C.

14.7 This section shall be enforced on behalf of the Town by its Police Department through any lawful means in law or in equity including, but not limited to, enforcement by criminal indictment or complaint pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 40 Section 21, or by non-criminal disposition pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 40, Section 21D.

Or act in relation thereto.

Submitted by the Billerica Police Department

ARTICLE