Pubdate: Sat, 12 Oct 2002
Source: Indiana Gazette (PA)
Contact:  Indiana Printing & Publishing Co. 2002
Website: http://www.indianagazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2601
Author:Tom Gardner, Associated Press Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/walters.htm (Walters, John)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?163 (Question 9 (NV))

NEVADA LEGALIZING MARIJUANA?

Drug Czar Blasts Ballot Issue To Legalize Marijuana Possession In Nevada

RENO, Nev. - The nation's drug czar said Nevada's ballot issue to legalize 
possession of marijuana is ludicrous, and that the measure's supporters are 
relying on distortions and voter naivete.

"This is a con and it's insulting to the voters of the state in which it is 
presented," John P. Walters said Friday during a gathering of reporters and 
law enforcement officials.

"We have a momentous decision in this state. We saw the problem that 
marijuana was massively underestimated in the public mind and if we didn't 
do anything it would grow," he said. "That's why I came."

Nevada's measure would allow adults to possess up to three ounces of 
marijuana that could be sold - and taxed - in state-licensed smoke shops.

"This is the most extreme ballot issue they've done so far," he said. 
Gesturing to three ounces of marijuana in three sandwich-sized bags, he 
added, "That's enough to make 250 cigarettes. That's not personal use."

Walters, chief of the office of National Drug Control Policy, called 
backers of Nevada's Question 9 "misguided people who have a lot of money 
and decided to make this state a guinea pig."

Referring to a pro-marijuana television ad featuring a retired Las Vegas 
police officer, he told reporters, "You probably know some goofballs in 
journalism, too."

Question 9 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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