cannabisnews.com: Board Approves Draft of Letter Urging Legalization Board Approves Draft of Letter Urging Legalization Posted by FoM on January 23, 2001 at 12:52:45 PT By Associated Press Source: Boston.com The Select Board in this college town is sending a letter to state and federal legislators urging them to repeal laws prohibiting the use of marijuana. Residents urged the board to write the letter and take other measures promoting the legalization of marijuana in a nonbinding referendum 10 months ago. Selectman Carl Sepalla, who drafted the letter approved by the board at its Monday night meeting, said it turned out to be more difficult and time-consuming than he had expected. Still, he said he felt the time had come for the board to take action. ''There are millions of marijuana users. It is part of our culture,'' Sepalla said. ''I don't believe we can stop it.'' The letter said in part: ''The misplaced focus of the drug war is eroding the civil rights association with the Fourth Amendment, creating injustice in the legal system and impairing the well being of society by denying the educational opportunities of an entire class of individuals,'' it continued. The letter also called for increased attention to treatment and other measures aimed at preventing abuse of the drug. It took years after the repeal of Prohibition made the use of alcohol legal for treatment measures aimed at alcohol abuse to become widespread, Sepalla said. The five board members voted unanimously to accept the draft and sign and mail the letter next week. ''I want to make clear the statement does not advocate unfettered access to marijuana or decriminalization of other drugs or use of marijuana by minors,'' said Chairman Brian Harvey. ''We're positively thrilled,'' said Aaron Wilson, a spokesman for a citizens' group that gathered 3,000 signatures on petitions to place the nonbinding question on the ballot. It was approved by voters 1,659-981. The vote marked the second time that Amherst, which is home to the University of Massachusetts, Amherst College and Hampshire College, has sought to relax marijuana laws. Amherst Town Meeting members voted to ask the state legislature to legalize marijuana in 1976. However, the Legislature ignored the suggestion. In November, four other communities, Framingham, Ipswich, Winchester and Harwich, also backed nonbinding questions calling for easing of marijuana laws. On Beacon Hill, some lawmakers are calling for legalization of marijuana used for medical purposes and making possession of a small amount of marijuana a civil violation, punishable by a fine rather than prison. But the bills face an uphill fight. Complete Title: Amherst Select Board Approves Draft of Letter Urging Legalization of Marijuana Source: Boston.comPublished: January 23, 2001Copyright: 2001 Boston Globe Electronic Publishing, IncWebsite: http://www.boston.com/Related Article & Web Site:MassCannhttp://www.masscann.org/Board Votes Draft of Letter for MJ Law Repealhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8418.shtmlCannabisNews - Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #2 posted by QuietCrusader on January 24, 2001 at 10:27:29 PT: The tide is turning. It's time to put the prohibitionists on the defensive...until the foolishness ends. When you have an opportunity to confront the prohibitionist mindset, DO IT! I work in a hospital and everyon knows my views. I will not let someone spout that old "party line" to me any more. I KNOW it's a sham and a shame. I wrote my congressman and told him in no uncertain terms that if he supports what the DEA is trying to do to get hemp foods banned that he has LOST my vote. The issue of government control and loss of freedoms today hinges almost entirely on marijuana prohibition; because without it, the drug problem would compare to the aspirin and tylenol problem. We could easily afford to treat those who have problems with hard drugs. Do not let your guard down for a minute or we could be back to the situation in 1980 before we know it. Narco News [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by sm247 on January 23, 2001 at 16:11:27 PT got that right ''There are millions of marijuana users. It is part of our culture,'' Sepalla said. ''I don't believe we can stop it.'' Yep this is a true statement [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: