Pubdate: Sat, 17 Aug 2002
Source: Boston Weekly Dig (MA)
Copyright: 2002 Boston Weekly Dig
Contact:  http://www.weeklydig.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1515
Author: Danielle Ben-Veniste
http://www.mapinc.org/find?162 (Nevadans for Responsible Law Enforcement)

REGULATION OF MARIJUANA AWAITS VOTE IN NEVADA

Nevada does not come readily to mind as a place to find solace from all 
that is dangerous and scary in today's world, but come November that may 
change, and we'll have marijuana to thank.

Nevadans for Responsible Law Enforcement (NRLE) have created a ballot 
initiative (Section 38 of Article 4 of the Constitution of the State of 
Nevada, commonly known as Question 9) proposing the statewide regulation of 
marijuana use and distribution that will appear on the statewide ballot on 
November 5, 2002. The initiative would lead to fewer small-scale marijuana 
arrests and free up cops to protect citizens from the more pressing 
problems of violent crime and terrorist threats through a program that 
would eliminate the threat of arrest for adults over the age of 21 who use 
and/or possess up to three ounces of marijuana; require the state 
government to implement a system whereby marijuana can be legally obtained 
only through a regulated market of licensed establishments rather than 
underground or black-market sales; allow seriously ill patients to obtain 
marijuana for medicinal use at a lower cost than that available to 
non-medical or recreational users (though the law does not require 
insurance companies to reimburse patients for the purchase of marijuana for 
these purposes); and include common-sense restrictions that would prohibit 
use in public or on public transportation, advertising on billboards and in 
newspapers or magazines, distribution and/or sale of marijuana to minors 
(under the age of 21), and transportation of marijuana in or out of the state.

The ballot initiative has already been endorsed by the Nevada Conference of 
Police and Sherriffs (NCOPS), which, with more than 3,000 members, is the 
largest police association in Nevada. Members of NCOPS support the 
initiative on the grounds that it would provide for a much-needed 
reallocation of time and money and enable law enforcement officials to 
devote their attention to crimes that pose more immediate threats to the 
well-being of Nevada's citizens.

On August 6, the NRLE reported NCOPS president Andy Anderson announcing his 
organization's ground-breaking endorsement, "As a former law-enforcement 
officer, I know that a simple marijuana arrest takes me off the street for 
half my shift." Public opinion polls show widespread support for the 
initiative as well: at present, 44 percent of voters say that they plan to 
vote for the initiative, compared with 46 percent who are opposed and 10 
percent who are undecided.

While these figures may not seem to indicate certain success for Question 
9, it is important to note that this polling takes place months before the 
voting date and the aggressive campaigning that the NRLE plans to launch as 
the big day approaches.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager