POT AND POLITICS

Libertarian Jim Pillsbury, who is running for state representative in
Framingham, wants to talk about decriminalizing marijuana. So when Ashland
officials, in his opinion, tacitly tried to block him from doing so at
Stone Park this spring, he sued.

Deja vu.

It's the second time in nine years the Framingham Libertarian has taken
Ashland to court for violating free speech by unconstitutional prior restraint.

Pillsbury, the Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition and the MetroWest
chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws
believe they have a case.

They allege Ashland imposed a $1 million liability insurance requirement as
a pretense for blocking an educational event because of the town's
hostility to public discussions of the decriminalization of marijuana.

"The rally was supposed to be to collect signatures" in support of a ballot
question aimed at decriminalizing the drug, Pillsbury said. "We weren't
looking to be smoking dope or to be obnoxious."

The town contends the $1 million insurance requirement was routine, and not
a strategic move to keep out Pillsbury, MassCann or NORML.

"With any organization our insurance carrier strongly recommends we require
liability insurance for any group using town facilities that's not a public
agency," said Town Manager Dexter Blois.

"Our coverage is $1 million, so that's what we would parallel. That's it.
That's the bottom line."

But what Pillsbury can't believe is that Ashland is doing it again.

On May 22, 1993, Pillsbury hosted a similar rally at Stone Park. The day
went so well, he applied for another permit a few months later. He was
denied permission on the basis of a newly instituted rule limiting
non-residents use of the park to once a year.

He sued.

As the 1993 lawsuit unfolded, it came out that on May 27 selectmen had
conspired to "eliminate inappropriate activities," according to a
transcript of the selectmen's meeting.

According to court documents, one selectman asked, "Can we have a policy,
develop a policy where we could keep individuals or groups (from) extolling
illegal activities? ... We don't want inappropriate things going on next to
a playground."

In answer to the question, the town added the once-a-year rule to Stone
Park's regulations.

Judge Judith Cowin decided Ashland's adoption of the new rule limiting
non-residents use of the park to only once a year violated First Amendment
rights of speech and assembly.

The lawsuit cost Ashland more than $30,000.

Now facing round two of a similar bout, Pillsbury can't believe Ashland is
holding its ground.

"The town is going to spend upward of possibly six figures at a time when
the money is just not there," Pillsbury said. "There's no reason to spend
that money defending something everyone knows is wrong to begin with."

But for Pillsbury, it's not about the money. Nor his ego, he said.

"I just want to use the town land and town parks like anyone else,"
Pillsbury said.

New politics

Pillsbury is also a Libertarian candidate for state representative in
Framingham's 6th Middlesex District. If he defeats incumbent state Rep.
Debby Blumer, D-Framingham, it's a pretty safe bet it won't be "politics as
usual."

His staunch support for the reform of marijuana laws is an obvious
difference between Pillsbury and most of the State House crew, but it's not
the only one.

"There's a very fine line, if any difference at all, between Democrats and
Republicans," Pillsbury said. "I think we're locked in an embrace that
doesn't allow any movement forward.

"As one who believes in personal freedom, accountability and
responsibility, I don't think we're being represented well at the State
House. I don't think any legislators in MetroWest have listened to the will
of the voters."

In 2000, Pillsbury successfully pushed a ballot question in north
Framingham that instructed the district's legislator to support
decriminalizing marijuana. Supporters wanted to make possession of
marijuana a civil infraction, like a speeding ticket, punishable by only a
fine.

Approximately 14,000 of 17,000 voters weighed in on the issue, with 67.5
percent supporting decriminalization.

In the same election, Blumer won the 6th District seat. She said at the
time that she would consider the results of the non-binding ballot question
if the issue should arise.

"When it came up last year for hearings at the State House, she did
nothing," Pillsbury said. "The reality is that 10,000 of 14,000 people
voted for it. That should have been a sign for her to support something the
voters supported."

Blumer said, "I'm still concerned about the whole issue of drug addition,
having state funding to help people who have run into problems with addiction.

"My focus has been on treatment and prevention," she said last night.

Blumer said the House has looked at sentencing reform, but "there isn't
enough support in the Senate right now."

She said a bill concerning medical use of marijuana is something that has
more momentum in the Legislature, and is something she has supported.

Pillsbury said Blumer's failure to support the will of the voters is
indicative of legislators today, and an area in which he can distinguish
himself.

A self-described 50-year-old working guy and family man, he says he wants
to represent the interests of the voters.

Pillsbury and Greg Doherty, a Libertarian running against state Rep. Karen
Spilka, D-Ashland, for the 7th Middlesex District seat, host a cable show
called "Jim Pillsbury Live" on Framingham's Channel 9 on Tuesdays from 6 to
7 p.m.