SUPPORTERS OF MARIJUANA BALLOT QUESTION LODGE COMPLAINT

Backers of a promarijuana ballot initiative charged yesterday that 11
district attorneys violated campaign finance laws and twisted the
truth about the question.

Whitney Taylor of the Committee for Sensible Marijuana Policy said
the district attorneys raised and spent money to oppose the question
before forming their Coalition to Save Our Streets. Campaign finance
laws require groups to form a committee before raising and spending money.

Middlesex District Attorney Gerard T. Leone brushed aside the group's
criticism, calling it a ploy to distract attention from critics of
the ballot question.

Leone attended a rally on the steps of the Statehouse with other
district attorneys, police, clergy, and community organizers to call
for the measure's defeat.

"I'm not sure what the proponents of this question were smoking when
they brought this to our state," said the Rev. Jeffrey Brown.

The question would make possession of an ounce or less of marijuana a
civil offense rather than criminal offense, and would make it
punishable by a $100 fine. Opponents say such a change in law would
essentially normalize use of marijuana, while supporters say it would
reduce a burden on the criminal justice system by sparing those found
with small amounts from facing a criminal record and jail.

Taylor's group has filed complaints with the Office of Campaign and
Political Finance and the attorney general's office against the
Massachusetts District Attorneys Association and the public relations
firm hired to handle opposition to the question. "This was an attempt
to keep their organization as covert as they could for as long a
possible," Taylor said.

Taylor said state records show the district attorneys began raising
money as early as July 18, but didn't file a statement of
organization with the state until Sept. 5.

Taylor also faulted the district attorneys for using their state
website to urge voters to oppose the question, and for
misrepresenting the initiative.

A statement on the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association
website says that if the question is approved, "any person may carry
and use marijuana at any time."

Taylor said that if the question passed, possession of marijuana
would still be illegal, and that anyone carrying or using marijuana
would face a $100 fine.

Leone called Taylor's accusations "a weak ploy to try to derail the
public's attention" about the negative fallout if the question
failed. He said district attorneys are free to use money from their
campaign accounts to support or oppose ballot questions.

At the State House event, speakers said easing penalties would
threaten recent positive trends in marijuana use among teenagers.