Pubdate: Sun, 29 Sep 2002 Source: Metrowest Daily News (MA) Copyright: 2002, MetroWest Daily News and Herald Interactive Advertising Contact: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/619 Author: Jeff Gould 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. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom