City Council To Tackle Pot Issue

-TöraZearand afiátf marijuáffá penalties have been a low profile issue in Ann I Arbor, but all that will end Monday night when Gity Council Republicans attempt to put the $5 pot law on the next general election ballot. Once a hot issue in the city, marijuana quietly slipped into relative obscurity after voters gave the $5 penality a 1,200-vote approval in April, 1974. But the massive drug raid staged by local and federal officers last week, followed by criticism of the $5 penalty by a government drug official,! has put the law back in the spotlight. ___ If the pot law is again going before the public at least bipartisan support will be needed. Seven votés are required by state law to place it on the ballot, two more than the Republicans have. The possible repeal attempt will also likely open up to a more broad ranging discussion of last week's raid. While Republicans have concurred in the statement that Ann Arbor is a marketplace for a variety of drugs as a result of the $5 penalty. . The Republicans are also offering a resolution of commendation to the pólice and federal agents who conducted the raid. Both this and the repeal resolutions will be taken up at a special session beginning at 6:30 p.m. Monday. _