By George P. Hassett

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone is against decriminalizing marijuana use. And on Wednesday he and Chief of Police Anthony Holloway called on voters to oppose a ballot question that would make possession of small amounts of marijuana punishable with a fine similar to a traffic violation.

Curtatone and Holloway joined other law enforcement officials Рincluding Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone Рat the State House to denounce decriminalizing marijuana as “a very real threat to our youth and our communities.” The measure is known as Question 2. Voters will decide on Nov. 4.

‚ÄúIn the past decade we have worked diligently on the local, regional and state levels to curb marijuana use, especially among our youth. The approval of Question 2 in November would undermine all of those efforts,‚Äù Curtatone said. ‚ÄúQuestion 2 poses a very real threat to our youth and our communities. Drug use is a public health, safety and quality of life issue and Question 2 would increase marijuana use while putting more of our youth behind the wheel while high on drugs.  We must send the right message to our youth.  That is why I will continue stand alongside my colleagues from across the Commonwealth and call on all of our residents to vote no on Question 2 in November.‚Äù

Supporters of the measure say it would save Massachusetts $130 million a year, according to a report by a Harvard economist, and would allow people with minor marijuana convictions to obtain jobs, housing and school loans that they are currently being denied.