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