[420 Girl]

Selectmen have added Ayer to a list of communities that may amend the approved ballot referendum question last November to decriminalize possession of an ounce or less of marijuana, to penalize public use.

Arguments for the proposal included an estimated $30 million in court costs born by taxpayers to prosecute offenders of the existing marijuana possession law.

Police Chief William Murray asked selectmen last week to enact a bylaw taken from Article IX Section 10 of police regulations that imposes a $300 fine for each offense upon anyone consuming marijuana on any public property or area under town control.

In a memo to the board, Murray stated he is not opposing the "will of the people" in decriminalizing possession and is not seeking a "back-door" to punishment. He is instead seeking a deterrent against the public use of marijuana on Ayer's streets, playgrounds, beaches and schools.

"It is akin to the public drinking bylaw," Murray told selectmen. "The ban on marijuana has been somewhat decriminalized. This keeps it off public streets."

The chief said the model bylaw has been recommended by the attorney general, approved by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security and the Police Chief's Association.

"It is a great proposal. It sets a tone for children," agreed Selectman Cornelius Sullivan.

"This is more important than folks realize," Selectman James Fay said. "Enforcement is difficult at best and there are ambiguities. This is not more restrictive, just a simple, clear line of enforcement."

Selectman Rick Gilles's motion to put the bylaw on the town meeting warrant was unanimously approved.

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