CHANGES APPROVED TO MARIJUANA-METH BILL

JUNEAU - Despite protests from Democrats, the Alaska Senate agreed
Wednesday to merge the recriminalization of marijuana with
restrictions on the sale of over-the-counter drugs used to make
methamphetamine.

The Senate Finance Committee last week combined the two pieces of
legislation, saying the result was a more efficient vehicle for the
governor's must-pass bills.

The legislation would counter a 1975 state Supreme Court decision
that allows residents to possess less than 4 ounces of pot in their
homes. It would make possession of 4 ounces or more a felony, and
possession of up to 4 ounces a misdemeanor.

The bill also regulates the sale of Sudafed, a common medication for
colds that is also used in the home manufacture of methamphetamine.

The marijuana bill had extensive hearings in the Senate last session
but a companion measure stalled in the House Judiciary Committee. By
folding it into the meth bill, the Senate could send the omnibus
measure directly to the House floor - bypassing committee hearings -
for a concurrence vote.

Senate Minority Leader Johnny Ellis, D-Anchorage, said the result of
combining the two measures is a mishmash of disparate issues that
does not serve the public well.

The bill is up for final passage Thursday in the Senate.

Also Wednesday, the Alaska Senate approved without debate the House's
changes to a bill by Sen. Con Bunde, R-Anchorage, making seat belt
violations a primary offense.

The bill, which allows police to stop a vehicle if the driver is not
wearing a seat belt, now goes to the governor for his signature.

The House added several provisions before passing the bill last week,
including limiting the law to highways and ensuring an officer has
probable cause to pull over a vehicle.

The Senate approved the changes 11-7.

The bills are House Bill 149 and Senate Bill 87