LEGALIZING MARIJUANA

AMHERST, Mass. - Voters in this college town will get a chance to
vote on legalizing marijuana next month.

A coalition has gathered more than 1,892 signatures on petitions to
add the nonbinding question to the March 28 town ballot.

Supporters launched the petition drive after selectmen refused to
place the question on the town ballot. Bryan Harvey, who chairs the
selectmen, said he didn't object to a vote on legalization, but he
opposed a portion of the question that urged police to de-emphasize
prosecuting marijuana possession laws.

''We are hoping to inspire people in other communities to take up the
fight,'' said Terry Franklin, a spokesman for Citizens for Sensible
Marijuana Policy, which led the petition drive.

It wouldn't be the first time that Amherst home to the University of
Massachusetts, Amherst College and Hampshire College has sought to
relax marijuana laws.

In 1976, the Amherst Town Meeting endorsed the legalization of
marijuana. However, the state Legislature took no action on its
suggestion.