DEAR READER,

This November, Massachusetts voters will have a chance to vote on a ballot question that would legalize marijuana for recreational use. Medical marijuana is currently legal in the state, and it’s long been decriminalized for small personal possession, but this next step is part of a substantial shift in our approach to marijuana use in Massachusetts as well as the country.

Currently, there are 24 states that have medical marijuana or recreational use laws on the books, and this fall we could see even more, possibly a dozen, that will join the ranks and further tip the scales of justice in a more progressive, modern direction. With all of this momentum, it should be a slam dunk, but other state questions have failed to pass such as in Ohio, and there’s a chance that Massachusetts may be in jeopardy of that as well, and that’s completely unacceptable.

The War on Drugs has been a massive failure and needs to end now, but partisan bickering among weathered and disparate activists are getting in the way. Hopefully that won’t happen here and it may not since it appears that competing groups have put aside their differences and stand united with the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Massachusetts initiative and question. Now more than ever, we need more unity, which includes politicians and self-interested groups that support criminalization. Polling suggests that voters continue to favor a change in the laws, and these representatives need to support the will of the people, but not because a majority of their constituents are in favor of it. They need to because it’s the right thing to do.

Jeff Lawrence, DigBoston Publisher + Editor

OH, CRUEL WORLD

Dear Guy with “No Fatties” Bumper Sticker,

The thing is, you don’t even look like that much of a total prick. You have more of an Oregon snowboarder look than a post-college lacrosse guy thing going for you, so I was somewhat surprised at the absurd collection of stickers on the back of your souped-up snorkel-kitted Wrangler (which was surprisingly missing a pair of Truck Nutz). While we’re on the topic of judging dolts by their covers, you must have no idea what your “No Fatties” and other dumbass decals say about you. I guess the snorkel comes in handy when the whole world is praying that you drive off of a bridge.