AMHERST SELECT BOARD APPROVES DRAFT OF LETTER URGING LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA

AMHERST (AP) - The Select Board in this college town is sending a letter to
state and federal legislators urging them to repeal laws prohibiting the
use of marijuana.

Residents urged the board to write the letter and take other measures
promoting the legalization of marijuana in a nonbinding referendum 10
months ago.

Selectman Carl Sepalla, who drafted the letter approved by the board at its
Monday night meeting, said it turned out to be more difficult and
time-consuming than he had expected.

Still, he said he felt the time had come for the board to take action.

``There are millions of marijuana users. It is part of our culture,''
Sepalla said. ``I don't believe we can stop it.''

The letter said in part: ``The misplaced focus of the drug war is eroding
the civil rights association with the Fourth Amendment, creating injustice
in the legal system and impairing the well being of society by denying the
educational opportunities of an entire class of individuals,'' it continued.

The letter also called for increased attention to treatment and other
measures aimed at preventing abuse of the drug. It took years after the
repeal of Prohibition made the use of alcohol legal for treatment measures
aimed at alcohol abuse to become widespread, Sepalla said.

The five board members voted unanimously to accept the draft and sign and
mail the letter next week.

``I want to make clear the statement does not advocate unfettered access to
marijuana or decriminalization of other drugs or use of marijuana by
minors,'' said Chairman Brian Harvey.

``We're positively thrilled,'' said Aaron Wilson, a spokesman for a
citizens' group that gathered 3,000 signatures on petitions to place the
nonbinding question on the ballot. It was approved by voters 1,659-981.

The vote marked the second time that Amherst, which is home to the
University of Massachusetts, Amherst College and Hampshire College, has
sought to relax marijuana laws.

Amherst Town Meeting members voted to ask the state legislature to legalize
marijuana in 1976. However, the Legislature ignored the suggestion.

In November, four other communities, Framingham, Ipswich, Winchester and
Harwich, also backed nonbinding questions calling for easing of marijuana laws.

On Beacon Hill, some lawmakers are calling for legalization of marijuana
used for medical purposes and making possession of a small amount of
marijuana a civil violation, punishable by a fine rather than prison. But
the bills face an uphill fight.