OFFICERS CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO ENFORCE THIS

CONTRARY TO Sam Allis's assertion about the new law that reduces
penalties for small marijuana violations, the source of hilarity is
not the way Question 2 was written, but the way some law-enforcement
officials feign confusion over it ("Smoky subject," The Observer, Jan. 4).

The law, passed by 65 percent of Bay State voters, makes adult
possession of an ounce or less of marijuana a civil, rather than
criminal, violation punishable by a simple $100 fine.

We trust law-enforcement officers to make life-or-death decisions
every day about whether a given situation warrants discharging their
weapon. But Allis, and apparently many law-enforcement officials,
worry that Massachusetts cops lack the ability to judge whether a
confiscated marijuana sample weighs about the same as a pack of cigarettes.

Oh, please. Eleven states for decades have had laws similar to the
one that went into effect Jan. 2 in Massachusetts. Police in those
states have proved they're professional and competent enough to
enforce those laws. Surely Massachusetts voters should be able to
expect the same from those sworn to serve and protect them.

Dan Bernath

Assistant director of communications

Marijuana Policy Project

Washington