POT LEGALIZATION GROUP COLLECTS 3,000 NAMES

Supporters of a referendum on the legalization of marijuana have submitted
more than 3,000 signatures, causing the town clerk to call in extra help
and making it appear likely that the question will appear on the ballot in
the March 28 town election.

The town has until Monday to determine how many of the people who signed
the petition are actually registered voters of Amherst. If 1,892
signatures are certified, representing 10 percent of the total number of
voters, the question will appear on the ballot.

Last year, a similiar pertition drive failed. Though 2,389 signatures were
submitted last year, only 1,648 were certified, 99 short of the number
needed to qualify for a place on the ballot, said legalization activist
Terry Franklin.

The first part of the proposed ballot question urges repeal of laws banning
the use of marijuana. The second part would "urge the Amherst Police
Department to deprioritize the enforcement" of marijuana laws.

According to police records, there were 47 arrests for possession of a
Class D substance, usually marijuana, in fiscal year 1998, and 19 in 1999.