Legalize 'Pot,' Democratic Platform Urges

A 15-plank platform with an emphasis on civil liberties has been adopted by the city Democratic Party, including a plank endorsing the legalization of the sale and possession of marijuana. The lengthy document also included planks on the rights of women and youths, continued support of a local income tax to aid in financing Ann Arbor government, consumer protection, and the Police Department. Democrats listed as their reasons for supporting the legalization of marijuana the following: there has been no convincing case made against marijuana as a serious public health problem within the last 40 years; present laws cause anguish to families of those involved and act as a barrier between youth and the remainder of the Ann Arbor community; the "marijuana problem" has become largely a symbolic issue of the hostility to youth and the present mood of repression; and, the legalization of marijuana will remove the excuse for serious violations of the civil rights and civil liberties of many citizens of Ann Arbor. Other sections of the civil rights and liberties section charged the Police Department with in raiding a local newspaper under "the guise of a drug bust in order to harass and to intimidate the staff and to confiscate subscription lists," spoke out against the "actions of arsonists and book-burners," and stated that every citizen "shall have the right to examine any file or information data storage bank or the sources of information concerning him or her which exists in any city department. In addition, the city agency shall advise any citizen that such a file exists." Democrats also called for the Board of Education to achieve a socio-economic mix in city schools "by any reasonable means necessary, including pairing of schools." They further called for holding accountable the Human Rights Department and commission for "recent inaction in investigating and remedying housing discrimination against cultural non-conformists, welfare families, students and women living without men," and urged creation of a city board to investigate abuses of civil rights and civil liberties by city agencies. Democrats asked that youths be included in decision-making bodies of the city, and recommended creation of a committee on the Status of Women in Ann Arbor. Further, Democrats called for an investigation on the lack of female department heads in City Hall, that an "ombudswomen" be appointed to serve the girls and women of the community, urged provisions for low-cost child care on a 24-hour basis, and that council pass an ordinance prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex or marital status in the issuance of credit. On the matter of police, Democrats called for more effective patrolling in the University and center-city a r e a s by foot patrolmen, called for a halt to "selective ticketing" of parked vehicles, and called for a shakeup of the police organizational structure to make it a civilian agency rather than a military one. Democrats lice officer "should be allowed greater freedom in the choice of dress, hair length, etc." In the area of consumer protection, Democrats called for a task force to study possible legislation dealing with unfair marketing practices, and said council should consider creation of the post of consumer ombudsman for receiving citizen complaints. Other planks in the Democratic platform include : - Planning which takes into consideration the impact of new developments such as the socio-economic mix of a neighborhood, and a planning process that is "directive as opposed to reactive." - An increase in the supply of public housing units in Ann Arbor, using city funds for the operation and maintenance of these units. Tenants rights, including urging state legislation to give tenants bargaining powers and creation of the position of housing ombudsmen to act on behalf of tenants. - The environment, including a city ordinance banning non-returnable beverage containers, planning for a regional solid waste recycling program, creation of a citizens' committee to review park land acquisition and development, and protection of the Scarlett-Mitchell woods and Kuebler-Slavik areas. Mass transportation, including attempts to get people from their cars and on to buses, an expansion of the current bus service to provide better and more frequent coverage of the city, and a complete review of the city's thoroughfare plan. - Citizen participation, including an amendment to the City Charter to provide for initiative and referendum "except in matters relating to civil rights, civil liberties and taxation." -Model Cities, an expansion of programs of that body, and opposition to the Packard-Beakes bypass route. -Health care, including a study to determine the feasibility of a city hospital, and - Handicapped, including amendment to the building codes so that all public buildings can be accessible to the handicapped, and that at least one city "dial-a-ride" vehicle be equipped to handle persons confined to wheelchairs.