ASSEMBLY TO TAKE A STAND ON MARIJUANA INITIATIVE

The Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly will likely take a stand
against the legalization of marijuana next week.

Borough Mayor Jim Whitaker, along with Assembly members Garry
Hutchison and Bonnie Williams, introduced a resolution that calls for
public opposition of Ballot Initiative No. 2 at a Borough Assembly
work session Thursday night.

Voters will decide on Nov. 2 whether or not to legalize marijuana.

"This is an excellent resolution," said Hutchison, who said little has
been done to oppose the strong advertising paid for by those who
support the initiative. "I urge others to sign on as a co-sponsor."

Earl Romans, Connie Henry, Charlie Rex, Terry Aldridge and Randy Frank
added their names to the resolution.

Eileen Cummings said she didn't sign on because the resolution urged
people to vote no on the measure.

"We can tell them our opinion but we shouldn't tell them how to vote,"
she said. She said she would introduce an amendment that would strike
that phrase at next week's regular meeting when the resolution comes
up for a vote.

Tim Beck said he thought some of the language might conflict with
marijuana use for medical reasons and wanted to study the issue further.

"I want to hear more information about it," he said.

Guy Sattley said he would oppose the resolution because he didn't
think such resolutions were appropriate for the assembly.

"I think there'll be enough votes to pass it," Sattley said.

Randy Frank said he supported the resolution because there is a lot of
misinformation about the initiative being presented to the public, he
said.

Hank Bartos was on an excused absence.

Here are the main points of the resolution:

* It is not a step in the right direction and sends a wrong message to
others about Alaska.

* Legalizing marijuana conflicts with federal law.

* Voters criminalized marijuana use in 1990 in an effort to reduce
drug abuse and addiction.

* Giving 21-year olds access to the drug would increase the likelihood
of drugs in schools.

* Would remove existing state regulations for medical marijuana
use.

The assembly will vote on the resolution Thursday at its 6 p.m.
meeting at the chambers of the borough administration building, 809
Pioneer Road.