Pubdate: Thu, 10 Oct 2002
Source: Reno Gazette-Journal (NV)
Copyright: 2002 Reno Gazette-Journal
Contact:  http://www.rgj.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/363
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?162 (Nevadans for Responsible Law 
Enforcement)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/walters.htm (Walters, John)

DRUG CZAR SAYS NEVADA MARIJUANA PLAN WOULD MEAN MORE ADDICTS

The federal drug czar says he didn't visit Nevada to tell people how to 
vote on a state ballot initiative that would legalize possession of small 
amounts of marijuana.

John P. Walters said Thursday he came to set the record straight on the 
proposal to legalize possession of up to 3 ounces of marijuana.

Walters, chief of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, said 
opponents of Question 9 feel like a"megaphone of big bucks"is spreading 
false information.

"We have a momentous decision in this state. That's why I came,"he said 
during a visit to a WestCare Nevada Treatment Center that treats teen 
addicts."I'm not here as a federal official to wag my finger at the people 
of Nevada."

Residents shouldn't think there's a benefit if the measure passes, he said, 
because"no community is better off with more drugs."

"Don't let the community just walk away from this one,"said Walters, adding 
that Question 9 would just create a bigger demand for drug treatment programs.

Walters also visited the state in July to urge a"no"vote on Question 9, 
saying Nevada shouldn't become the center for drug tourism.

Billy Rogers, head of Nevadans for Responsible Law Enforcement, the main 
political group supporting the measure, said there's no evidence the 
initiative's passage would create more drug addicts.

He pointed out that the drug czar's own Web site shows the majority of drug 
addicts in Nevada were treated last year for an amphetamine addiction.

"I think it's about time the drug czar was held accountable to the outright 
falsehoods he's been putting out there,"Rogers said.

Walters also was challenged to a debate by Assemblywoman Chris 
Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, who chairs the statewide steering committee for 
Nevadans for Responsible Law Enforcement.

Walters refused, saying he'd debate the financial backers of the initiative 
such as billionaire Peter Lewis, chairman of Progressive Insurance _ but 
not"political consultants."

"If the federal drug czar isn't willing to debate a Nevadan in Nevada on 
Question 9, he ought to go back to Washington, D.C., and quit telling us 
how to vote,"Giunchigliani said.

Walters also mentioned University of Phoenix founder John Sperling as a 
Question 9 backer, although Rogers said Sperling has not contributed to the 
campaign. He confirmed that Lewis has.

Walters was scheduled to meet with law enforcement in Reno on Friday.

The ballot measure would make Nevada the first state to allow adults to 
possess up to 3 ounces of marijuana. Pot would be sold only in 
state-licensed and taxed smoke shops, and people couldn't smoke it in public.

The measure would have to pass twice _ in November and again in 2004 _ to 
change the Nevada Constitution. Whether it could ever take effect is 
unclear since federal law bans marijuana possession, and the U.S. Supreme 
Court ruled last year that states can't make exceptions for medical use.
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