Pubdate: Tue, 09 Nov 2004
Source: Reno Gazette-Journal (NV)
Copyright: 2004 Reno Gazette-Journal
Contact: http://www.rgj.com/helpdesk/news/letter_to_editor.php
Website: http://www.rgj.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/363
Author: Christina Almeida, Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?224 (Cannabis and Driving)
Cited: Marijuana Policy Project ( www.mpp.org )
Cited: The Committee to Regulate and Control Marijuana (CRCM) 
http://www.regulatemarijuana.org/
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/props.htm (Ballot Initiatives)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/marijuana+initiative
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

PRO-MARIJUANA GROUP TAKES ISSUE TO LAWMAKERS

LAS VEGAS -- A group seeking to legalize small amounts of marijuana in 
Nevada filed paperwork Tuesday that would compel state lawmakers to take up 
the issue during next year's legislative session.

The Committee to Regulate and Control Marijuana has filed 84,665 signatures 
in five counties. They need a minimum of 51,337 signatures of registered 
voters to qualify.

"The marijuana regulation initiative makes sense because it gives society 
control over marijuana, while our current prohibition policies keep 
marijuana completely uncontrolled," Rob Kampia, executive director of the 
Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, D.C., said in a statement.

Kampia was in Las Vegas to turn in signatures and help promote the Nevada 
initiative, which would legalize possession of up to 1 ounce of marijuana 
by adults in the state.

If the signatures are verified, state lawmakers would have to consider 
passing it during the first 40 days of the 2005 session. If they don't, it 
automatically goes on the 2006 ballot.

Larry Sandell with the Committee to Regulate and Control Marijuana said the 
group doesn't expect the Legislature to pass the initiative but hopes a 
discussion of the issue will help its cause.

"It's   important for the Legislature to have this debate before it goes to 
the people," Sandell said. "It will help bring more light to the issue and 
legitimize it."

The group failed to get the required signatures needed to qualify for the 
Nov. 2 ballot. Group officials said the petition would have qualified if a 
federal judge had allowed about 2,000 signatures of newly registered voters 
whose information had not been immediately forwarded to election registrars.

The committee appealed to the 9th Circuit Court but lost on a 2-1 panel 
vote, and their request for a rehearing before the full court was refused.

Nevada voters have approved the use of marijuana for medical reasons but in 
2002 overwhelmingly rejected the measure to legalize up to 3 ounces of 
marijuana.

The latest plan would increase penalties for providing marijuana to minors 
or for causing a fatal accident while driving under the influence of the 
substance. Sale of marijuana would be taxed, and revenue would be earmarked 
for drug and alcohol treatment and education programs.
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