Swampscott issues two citations for marijuana

SWAMPSCOTT – The town has issued two civil citations for possession of marijuana under a new state law, which went into effect Jan. 2.According to Police Chief Ronald Madigan, the civil citation carries a $100 fine.”One of the citations was paid immediately,” he said. “The other one has not been paid.”The law states possession of an ounce or less of marijuana is no longer a criminal offense and police will be issuing civil violations instead of arresting violators. Voters across the state supported the change in the law on the Nov. 4 ballot. In Swampscott 68 percent of voters were in favor, which was higher than the statewide average of 65 percent.Madigan says the civil violation forms the department issues outlines the options available to the violator. Those who want to pay the $100 fine can do so within 21 days by sending the payment to the town clerk’s office or they have the option of appealing in Lynn District Court within 21 days. Madigan said any money collected from the civil citations goes into the town’s general fund.The first citation in town was issued Jan. 13 as the result of a routine traffic stop and Madigan said the second citation was issued Feb. 1 when a suspect was being arrested on an unrelated charge.”It was detected during a booking search,” he said.Madigan quickly added that even though possession of an ounce or less of marijuana has been decriminalized marijuana is still contraband and, according to the state’s Executive Office of Public Safety, all laws concerning distributing, selling, manufacturing or trafficking the substance remain intact.”If there is probable cause to believe a suspect is engaged in distribution or possession with intent to distribute, then we will charge that suspect criminally,” he said. “The laws related to driving under the influence of marijuana are also unchanged.”