LAWSUIT SEEKS MINNEAPOLIS REFERENDUM ON MARIJUANA

A group supporting the legalizing of medicinal marijuana filed suit
Friday in Hennepin County District Court asking that the question,
which would amend Minneapolis' city charter, be placed on the Nov. 2
ballot.

Last month the City Council voted 8 to 4 against it.

The group Citizens Organized for Harm Reduction said it had collected
7,990 valid petition signatures, more than the 5 percent required to
be placed on the ballot.

The suit said that Susanne Griffin, city elections director, lacks
legal authority to refuse to place the proposed charter amendment on
the ballot and asked that it be placed.

"Once a citizens' petition has complied with the statutory
requirements, the city has a mandatory duty to submit the proposed
charter amendment to the voters," the group said in a brief filed with
the petition.