I’ve been hearing from a number of constituents who are calling for full legalization and taxation of marijuana. I think that it is much more useful to focus on reducing mandatory minimum sentences for the harder drugs and I’m hopeful that our financial crunch will create the conditions for responsible movement on sentencing policy.
Justice
animal welfare, civil law and procedure, criminal law, disability, drug policy, family law, freedom of speech, guardianship, gun violence, housing law, immigration, indigenous agenda, lgbtq rights, policing, privacy, sexual child abuse, terrorism, women's rights
Devocalization of Dogs and Cats
A group of citizens who care for the rights of animals are advocating a bill to end the practice of surgical devocalization of dogs.
Policy research
Links to drug policy publications, reports and presentations by Will Brownsberger.
Question two — marijuana decriminalization
Question Two on the November ballot purports to enact a “Sensible State Marijuana Policy.” So packaged, the proposal is likely to pass.
Drug Policy Recommendations
I believe that there are three major reforms that we need to pursue in Massachusetts drug policy: (1) moderation of our sentencing policies; (2) improvement of substance abuse treatment quality; (3) expansion of screening and brief intervention.
Coerced drug treatment — perspective
Coerced treatment has great appeal for parents, judge and prosecutors. But, now that it has become widespread, it is damaging the treatment system and making all treatment less effective.