The Coalition for Safe Streets would like to thank our supporters for their efforts opposing the decriminalization of marijuana, including parents, community and religious leaders, elected officials, educators and law enforcement throughout the state. The care and concern that these individuals and organizations have for the health, safety and well being of Massachusetts youth is heartening.
November 2, 2008 - Download our printable brochure
Question 2 poses a serious public health and safety threat to Massachusetts. Download our printable No on Question 2 brochure and let other people know you plan to Vote NO to decriminalize marijuana. Click here to download.
Check out video ( part 1 / part 2 ) from Friday’s press conference featuring Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley, who called on voters to reject Question 2 - the de facto legalization of marijuana. AG Coakley was joined by Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone and other educators, health officials and community leaders throughout the state.
Massachusetts Religious Leaders Unite Against Question 2
Boston’s most respected urban ministers this week sent an eloquent and impassioned letter to congregations throughout the state, calling on them and Massachusetts to unite to defeat Question 2 - a social justice issue they say “transcends politics.” Click here to read the full letter.
The Catholic Conference of Massachusetts also sent a letter from former United States Ambassador to the Vatican and Boston Mayor Raymond L. Flynn to the 2,200 statewide parish communities, urging a No vote on Question 2. Click here to read the full letter written by Ray Flynn.
Click here to download and listen to the Vote No on Question to Radio spot.
Click here to view and download the Vote No on 2 spot.
Vote No on Question 2
On national Election Day this November 4, 2008, Massachusetts voters face a critical decision about the future of our Commonwealth with ballot Question No. 2 – which would effectively legalize up to an ounce of marijuana. Our legislature has already rejected this initiative, and voters should reject it as well.
This effort is sponsored by a group whose demonstrated goal is broad-based drug decriminalization. A “yes” vote supporting efforts to legalize drugs of any kind represents the wrong direction for Massachusetts and puts our children, our families and our communities at risk.
Question 2 constitutes an endorsement of substance abuse and dangerous criminal activity. It sends the wrong message to young people. A truly sensible drug policy is one that does NOT encourage drug abuse and dangerous criminal activity.
Question 2 benefits drug dealers and dangerous criminals. Question 2 provides for the retailing of marijuana in our communities and enabling drug dealers to operate free from the threat of criminal prosecution. One ounce of marijuana has a street value of $600 and equates to approximately 60 individual sales.
Law enforcement, educators, health care, business and community leaders uniformly oppose Question 2.
Today’s marijuana poses a serious public health threat and is dramatically more potent than the drug used by baby boomers 30 years ago. Marijuana contains nine times the mind-altering THC as 30 years ago; is more carcinogenic than cigarette tobacco; is a primary factor in juvenile hospital admissions; and is more strongly associated with juvenile crime than alcohol. Marijuana users are 10 times more likely to be injured, or injure others, in automobile crashes, and a large percentage of arrestees (30-40%) test positive for marijuana.
Massachusetts is best served by preserving our current laws that help keep drugs away from our children, drug dealers off the streets and those under the influence of drugs out from behind the wheel of a car. And current law is fair to first-time offenders by requiring judges to dismiss charges and seal their records following a probationary period.
There is only one sensible answer to Question 2. And the answer is NO.