Measure to repeal pot law qualifies for 1998 ballot

A measure to repeal a law criminalizing possession of small quantities of
marijuana is on Oregon's 1998 ballot.

State elections officials late Tuesday verified that the referendum to
repeal House Bill 3643 gathered 66,947 valid signatures, more than the
required 48,841. The referendum will appear on the Nov. 3, 1998,
generalelection ballot as Measure 57, unless otherwise ordered by the
Legislature.

Referendum supporters turned in 90,103 signatures Oct. 3, not the 95,032
that elections officials had reported.

HB3643, which the 1997 Legislature approved and Gov. John Kitzhaber signed,
made possession of less than 1 ounce of marijuana a misdemeanor punishable
by a maximum $1,000 fine and 30 days in jail, although diversion would be
an option for firsttime offenders.

The referendum's qualification for the ballot suspends the law until the
election.

Since 1973, possession of less than 1 ounce of marijuana has been a
violation, much like a traffic ticket. It is punishable by a maximum
$1,000 fine but not arrest or jail time.

Supporters of the recriminalization of marijuana, mostly law enforcement
officials, said they want to send a stronger message to children about the
dangers of drugs. The referendum campaign, part of a national movement to
liberalize drug laws for medicinal purposes, says that marijuana penalties
are stiff enough and that public money should be spent elsewhere.

Ashbel S. Green, [for the Oregonian]