GROUP FORMS TO PASS MARIJUANA ORDINANCE

A student-led group hoping to change Columbia's marijuana ordinance has
organized a campaign committee to promote Proposition 1 in the April 8
election.

After filing with the Boone County Clerk, the Columbia Alliance for
Patients and Education can move forward with fund-raising for political
advertising and other campaign activities.

Amy Fritz, who is listed on the application as deputy treasurer, said the
University of Missouri-Columbia group hopes to raise about $60,000 through
local and national donations.

"We have approached some people in the community and have targeted other
people in the country who have donated large amounts of money for
decriminalization efforts in the past," Fritz said.

Last fall, the group obtained more than enough signatures to put
Proposition 1 on the ballot. The measure would reduce fines for those
caught with small amounts of marijuana and refer all misdemeanor marijuana
cases to municipal court. Proposition 1 would also decriminalize marijuana
for medicinal use.

Art Auer, the county elections director, said no opposition group has filed
with the county. The last day to file as a campaign committee is March 9.