Pubdate: Tue, 23 Nov 1999 Source: Associated Press Copyright: 1999 Associated Press SELECTMEN BALK AT NON-BINDING REFERENDUM Selectmen have balked for a second year at placing a nonbinding referendum legalizing marijuana on the town ballot. Bryan Harvey, who chairs the selectmen, said he didn't object to a vote on legalization, but he opposed a portion of the question that urged police to de-emphasize the prosecution of marijuana possession laws. Brian Julin, chairman of the coalition of campus and other groups pushing for legalization of marijuana, said it will now seek to collect enough signatures to force a referendum. The group, which needs to collect about 1,750 signatures, fell 99 signatures short of the number needed to force a vote last year. It wouldn't be the first time that the college town has sought to relax marijuana laws. In 1976, the Amherst Town Meeting endorsed the legalization of marijuana. However, the state Legislature took no action on its suggestion. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake