Question 2 will not become effective until thirty days after the Secretary of the Commonwealth presents the record of the election to the Governor’s Council for certification.  That typically happens during the last week of November or the first week of December.  

The Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition (Mass Cann/NORML) thanks the projected 65% of Massachusetts voters who were not deceived by the lies of the District Attorneys and other people of authority.  Preliminary returns as of 6:45 PM on November 6 from all precincts show more of you voted for Question 2 (1,939,505) than for Barack Obama (1,891,083) and almost as many as voted for John (1,959,843).

President William Downing commented, “We expected this victory for justice and liberty.  We knew the seed sown by Mass Cann/NORML members would bear fruit.  We knew the time was ripe by the demonstrated success of marijuana decriminalization public policy questions members put on the ballot in 32 state senatorial or representative districts between 2000 and 2006. These questions passed in every district with an average of 62% approval.”

“That Massachusetts voters had to eliminate the criminal sanctions against minor marijuana possession is an indictment of the Legislature for failing to pass reform since 2001, when former policeman and then State Senator Shannon first introduced legislation.  The Mental Health & Substance Abuse Committee reported favorably on that legislation in the 2005-2006 and 2007-2008 but died in the Senate Ways and Means Committee,” added Mass /*Cann/NORML founder Steven Epstein.

The question now is when will Congress learn that marijuana prohibition is unjust and permit the states to experiment with regulatory schemes as they do tobacco, beer, wine and hard cider.  It is not a question of if, but when.

Editorial: A misguided joint initiative
Boston Globe – Nov 7

Marijuana not (quite) legal
Cape Cod Times – Nov. 7

Police see confusion ahead with marijuana decriminalization
Daily News of Newburyport – Nov 7

Greater Lowell police: New pot law weakens drug battle
Lowell Sun – Nov. 6

Editorial: Marijuana reform right for Bay State
The Republican – Nov 6
Voter approval of Question 2 – by a margin of 65 percent to 35 percent – means those caught with a bit of marijuana won’t wind up with a criminal record …

New pot rules dismay officials
Berkshire Eagle Nov 6
Steven Epstein, an attorney who founded the Georgetown-based Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition in 1990, said police and prosecutors should stop “whining” about the law, which was endorsed by a majority of Bay State voters.

New marijuana law has officials concerned over crime-fighting …
Standard Times – Nov 6
By Brian Fraga NEW BEDFORD — Tuesday’s decisive passing of the referendum to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana has law enforcement officials …

Hampden County DA to drop all small marijuana possession charges
The Republican – Nov 6
AP NEWS » by The Republican Newsroom By DAN RING BOSTON – A day after voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot question to decriminalize marijuana, …

More support than expected for marijuana possession
The Boston – Bay State Banner – Nov 6
Rene Antoine, a fiscal administrator in Curtis Hall, supports the use of marijuana if prescribed by a doctor, but voted against decrmininalizing the

Officials look for guidelines on marijuana initiative
Boston Globe – Nov 6

State scrambling to adapt to marijuana initiative
Boston Herald (AP) Nov 6
Officials hurry to hash out new marijuana law
Boston Herald (Jessica Van Sack) Nov 6

Question 2: Marijuana decriminalization passes
Worcester Telegram – Nov 5
AP BOSTON— Massachusetts voters, over the objections of law enforcement officials, yesterday gave their backing to eased marijuana laws.

Victory for marijuana reform movement
NECN Video

Marijuana decriminalization passes by wide margin
The Daily News of Newburyport
Steve Epstein, a Georgetown resident and a director of the Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition, said he was pleased by the question’s success and …

North Shore goes to pot, and the dogs
The Salem News
Steve Epstein, speaking for MassCann/NORML, which has lobbied for reforming marijuana laws for years, felt vindicated by yesterday’s result. …

Georgetown-based marijuana reform group thanks voters
Wicked Local
The Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition (Mass Cann/NORML) thanks the projected 65% of Massachusetts voters who were not deceived by the lies of the …

Crime rap for pot snuffed
Boston Herald
Bay State voters opted last night to weed out the recreational reefer users from drug-pushing punks, as they voted for ballot Question 2 to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana.

Question 2: Voters approve marijuana law change
Boston Globe
I think this points to how our Legislature is unwilling to represent their constituents on these issues,” said Bill Downing, president of the

Voters OK easing marijuana law, banning dog races
Eagle Tribune
The Merrimack Valley voted like much of the state, with overwhelming results in each of the three ballot questions.

Voters decriminalize pot, ban dog racing, keep income tax
Patriot Ledger
Over the strong objection of law enforcement officials, voters approved a ballot question easing the prohibition