AMHERST MIGHT NOT USE POLICE FEE FOR MARIJUANA RALLY

AMHERST - What a difference three months make.

In December, more than 24 members of the University of Massachusetts
Cannabis Reform Coalition packed the Select Board meeting to protest
a town policy that would have required the group to pay for two
additional police officers to cover its springtime festival.

The town wanted that group and others whom the police chief
determined needed additional staffing for events on the common to pay
for the coverage.

Each spring, the cannabis coalition sponsors Extravaganja, a daylong
event featuring music, food and education about marijuana laws. The
event draws more than 1,500 people.

But tonight, no group member was there to learn that the town would
not charge the fee.

Select Board Chairman Gerald S. Weiss told the board that the town's
lawyer believes that charging the fee might be unconstitutional.

Weiss said that after the December discussion, Town Manager Laurence
R. Shaffer sought an opinion from the town's lawyer about the fee.

Board members had raised some concerns, as did coalition members.

In December, Terry Franklin, of Amhers't said the town did not have a
right to impose a fee. He told the board he had contacted the
American Civil Liberties Union, which was interested in looking into
the matter.

Franklin could not be reached for comment last night.

Weiss said the town's lawyer said it might be possible to narrowly
tailor a fee system for trash and traffic control. The lawyer also
suggested a meeting with the board before a formal opinion.

Weiss said that based on this Shaffer will likely "drop the whole
idea" of imposing fees. Shaffer was on vacation and could not be reached.

In December, Shaffer said the town was informing all organizations
that applied to use the common that fees would be charged and that
groups could apply for a waiver for this year.