CHOICES ABOUND FOR REGION'S VOTERS

BOSTON - There's more on the line Nov. 2 than who goes to Beacon Hill
or Washington.

On election day in Western Massachusetts, some voters will consider
ballot questions that could change the legal, social and economic
landscapes of their communities.

There are no statewide referendums on the ballot in Massachusetts, but
several communities and districts feature ballot questions. Consider
some referendums:

Voters in many communities will also decide nonbinding referendums on issues
such as decriminalization of marijuana, workplace bullying, the Patriot Act
and redistricting of congressional and state legislative seats.

Voters in the 1st Hampshire will also decide if the state should be allowed
to legalize the sale of marijuana. Under the nonbinding question, the state
would be cleared to tax and regulate the sale of marijuana to people 21 and
older. Whitney A. Taylor, executive director of the Drug Policy Forum of
Massachusetts, which is sponsoring the question, said taxes from marijuana
could be raised to pay for important government services.