AG CERTIFIES MARIJUANA PETITIONS

Five Pot Questions Approved

(BOSTON)- Attorney General Tom Reilly yesterday certified five of seven
marijuana reform petitions filed by Georgetown attorney Steven Epstein.

Epstein filed the initiative petitions on behalf of MassCann, the
state branch of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana
Laws.

Reilly approved the petition Epstein thinks has the least chance of
scoring with the public - legalizing small amounts of pot for adults.

Initiatives allowing for greater medical use of marijuana, which
Reilly also certified, have a better chance of success, supporters
said.

Those petitions seek to expand a 1996 state law that allows patients
with glaucoma, asthma or nausea from cancer treatment to use marijuana
legally. MassCann's petition would add AIDS to the list.

Reilly rejected a petition that would have allowed adults to grow and
possess the drug because of a "drafting error." A second petition that
would have regulated- and taxed -the sale of marijuana was rejected
because it would have permanently disqualified from public office
anyone using regulatory information in a criminal proceeding.

MassCann supporters said a big part of the 57,100-signature collection
effort needed to get the issue before the Legislature will take place
Sept. 18, when the group holds its annual "Freedom Rally" on Boston
Common.

Epstein had a death in the family and was unavailable for comment
yesterday.