City Council members reluctantly voted to put the legalization measure on the ballot, saying they had no choice because backers had collected enough signatures in support of the referendum. But many council members condemned the measure: Councilwoman Jeanne Robb said smoking three marijuana joints was as bad as smoking three packs of cigarettes; Councilman Michael Hancock said marijuana use leads to harder drug use.

Councilman Charlie Brown said the measure would have little practical effect, since nearly all of the marijuana cases in the city are prosecuted under state, not local, law.

But all six people who asked to speak at the City Council meeting on the ballot item expressed support for the measure.

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