Mass. officials concerned with pot laws

BOSTON, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- Massachusetts law enforcement officials have expressed concern regarding an initiative to partially decriminalize marijuana possession that won voter approval.

Wayne Sampson, Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association executive director, said the ballot initiative to decriminalize cases involving possession of a small amount of marijuana will likely make law enforcement tougher for police statewide, The Boston Globe said Thursday.

"This is certainly going to make the work of many police officers a lot more complicated," Sampson said of Question 2, which passed Wednesday in the state. "We're going to need guidance from the attorney general and district attorneys."

The proposition, which will become a state law 30 days after being presented to the Governor's Council, means being caught with less than an ounce of marijuana will mean a fine rather than a criminal charge.

Chief Brian Kyes of the Chelsea Police Department told the Globe he is worried the upcoming law could pose significant legal problems regarding probable cause in marijuana-related cases.

"If it's a civil infraction, not a crime, can police officers search for more evidence?" Kyes asked. "Now that might constitute a bad search, and that definitely will require significant changes."