BOSTON -- A group of Boston religious leaders is sending a letter to clergy statewide urging them to ask their congregations to help defeat a ballot question that if approved would decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana.
Question 2 would make possession of an ounce or less of marijuana a civil rather than criminal offense.
The Boston Globe rports that the letter from the Boston TenPoint Coalition says passage of the measure would promote drug use and lead to more violance.
The state's district attorneys, police chiefs, Gov. Deval Patrick and other top officials oppose the measure.
Supporters say it would reduce the burden on the criminal justice system and spare people from a criminal record that could cost them jobs, college aid and other benefits.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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