Pubdate: Sun, 01 Sep 2002 Source: Topeka Capital-Journal (KS) Copyright: 2002 The Topeka Capital-Journal Contact: http://cjonline.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/455 MARIJUANA VOTE -- PRINCIPLE V. PRINCIPAL It's both amazing and appalling that one of the issues before Nevada voters this fall is legalizing marijuana. As proposed, the initiative would allow possession of up to 3 ounces of marijuana by persons 21 and older for smoking in their private homes, but not in their cars or in public places. If the initiative becomes law, the state would have to figure out who would grow the marijuana and how to make it available through state- licensed retail outlets. Some suggest the state's agriculture department should grow the weed. Have we fallen through Alice's looking glass? There's some time to work out those details, though. Even if the measure passes in November, it still would need either approval by the legislature or face a second ballot test in 2004. Law enforcement officials are strongly opposed to the initiative, which made it onto the ballot after a petition drive collected more than 100,000 signatures. That's a lot of signatures. In the last presidential election, about 580,000 ballots were cast in the state. Interestingly, most politicians are being silent on the issue, including Republican Gov. Kenny Guinn, saying they will defer to the voters' wishes. Secretly, they may be wishing for the initiative to pass, for it would provide a new revenue stream, something the state needs. The state doesn't tax personal or non-gambling corporate income, and the powerful casino industry opposes raising taxes on its gambling profits. So lawmakers see the potential for bringing in tens of millions of dollars annually on legalized marijuana. Considering that Nevada led the way in legalizing gambling and also has legalized brothels, perhaps it shouldn't be surprising that the state would consider legalizing marijuana, even at a time when smoking of even legal tobacco products is being discouraged. The quiescent attitude among public officials outside law enforcement underscores how easily principles can be put aside when the lure is money. Other states, including Kansas, have become addicted to lottery revenues. Now slot machines keep coming up as the next thing the state needs. Anymore, it's not just the principle of the thing; it's also the principal - -- how much money it brings in. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth