ACTIVIST GROUP WRITES REVISED POT INITIATIVE

NORML is petitioning to get it on the November ballot.

The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws is back at
it - trying to get a new version of the previously defeated
Proposition 1 on the November ballot.

Proposition 1, which was defeated last April, asked that marijuana be
legalized for medical purposes, that fines be reduced to $25 for the
possession of 35 grams or less and that those cases be referred to the
municipal prosecuting attorney.

The new version of the proposition is split into two separate
initiatives.

The first initiative - legalization of marijuana for medical use - is
nearly identical to last April's Proposition 1.

One difference is that, if the legalization of medical use of
marijuana is found unconstitutional, a new provision would allow those
found with 35 grams or less to be charged up to $50 and community service.

The second initiative accounts for the major changes to the
proposition.

Proposition 1 asked that fines be changed from $1,000 and up to a year
in jail - currently the penalty for having 35 grams or less - to $25
for the possession of 35 grams or less and that such cases be handled
in municipal court.

The new initiative would allow only municipal courts to decide the
fine, up to $250, with no jail time and a possibility of community
service in addition to the fine.

"The courts generally fine people $200 or less now," said Dan Viets, a
lawyer working with NORML. "This would allow for an even higher fine."

One reason NORML wants all cases to end up in municipal court has to
do with student financial aid. A student receiving financial aid who
is charged with drug possession in state court has the charge placed
on his or her permanent record. Under federal law, students charged
with drug offenses can have their financial aid revoked.

"There are a lot of class issues involved," Neeb said. "Poor people
are being affected more, which is unfair."

Police Chief Randy Boehm is against the new initiatives.

He said setting the fine at $250 takes away the court's discretion of
imposing a larger fine.

NORML is still gathering signatures for each of the new initiatives.

The group had a booth at Sunday's Earth Day festivities and collected
signatures for both initiatives. Only registered Columbia voters are
allowed to sign the petitions.

Proposition 1 required 1,200 signatures to get on the ballot. This
year, NORML needs 2,276 votes, or 20 percent of the amount of voters
from the last election.

NORML must submit signatures to the city clerk's office by late June
so that the ordinances can be introduced on August 2, said city clerk
employee Sherry Walker.