MARIJUANA MEASURE OK'D FOR PETITION

LITTLE ROCK (AP) - A second proposed ballot initiative on marijuana has
obtained the approval of Attorney General Mark Pryor for signature
solicitations to get the measure on the November 2000 ballot.

On Monday, Pryor notified the secretary of state's office that he had
approved the wording of the popular name and ballot title of a proposal
submitted by Barry Emigh of North Little Rock.

If it were to make it to the ballot and be approved by voters, the measure
would allow people diagnosed by a doctor as suffering from chronic pain,
chronic illness or a terminal illness to grow and use marijuana to ease
their pain. The proposal would also reduce the penalty for possession of a
half-ounce or less of marijuana to a $75 fine.