Pubdate: Thu, 10 Feb 2005 Source: Michigan Tech Lode (MI Edu) Copyright: 2005 Michigan Tech Lode Contact: http://www.mtulode.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3293 Author: Ray Molzon, Staff Writer Cited: Marijuana Policy Project ( www.mpp.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) GOVERNMENT AGAINST PETITION With allegations of fraud in the 2004 election still unsatisfactorily unexplained, Nevada's attorney general was attempting a preemptive strike on the 2006 elections until recently being shot down by a federal judge. Several groups are working diligently to reform the harshness of drug laws in this country, though their difference of opinion with elected representatives makes justice a rather rare commodity. One group, the Marijuana Policy Project, has been sponsoring state initiatives reducing penalties for marijuana possession for several years now, and they are quite successful at it. Whether or not you agree with marijuana prohibition, it is hard to see how citizens in this free nation should be discouraged by their leaders from engaging in the democratic process by petitioning for change, yet this is an all-too-common story. For instance, when MPP organizers turned in more than enough signatures last year to place an initiative on Nevada's 2006 ballot, officials in the Secretary of State office balked. The initiative, which would decriminalize possession of up to one ounce of marijuana among other important reforms, naturally scares some of our more ardent drug warriors. The wide support for such a move is even more frightening for them. Rather than let the people choose what policies should govern their lives, Nevada Attorney General Brian Sandoval decided to exercise his uncanny wisdom by changing the minimum number of signatures needed, weeks after their deadline. This number is based on a percentage of Nevada's voting population, which at the time the signatures were turned in was set by the 2002 election turnout. The 2004 election saw a great increase in the number of people voting (I couldn't imagine why), meaning that future organizers would have to collect more signatures. Apparently, Sandoval thought it reasonable to apply this number to the 2006 ballot requirements. How he thought this would fly in a court where rules and laws are respected is beyond me, though it was necessary to take the case to a judge just to make sure such action truly is illegal. Such blatant oppression puts any notions of a democratic spirit to shame. It is nice to know that there is some sanity left in pockets of our government, but the fact that one of our public servants would even attempt such a heinous scam is cause for worry. Unfortunately, this is not the first time that petition organizers had trouble with Nevada officials. A similar proposal should have been included on last year's ballot but was tossed out after some minor technicalities that were overlooked for years before marijuana reform was on the slate. I find it more than a little ironic that our country strolls about the planet touting the greatness of democracy, yet we can't seem to get it right at home. Iraq's new government shuns the decrepit winner-take-all electoral count for a fairer proportionate election, while we are stuck in a stagnant bipartisan system. In a democracy, it is the people who should rule, but instead we have a class of patriarchal leaders who act as if they know the best laws to enforce. I am grateful that at least someone in power can recall what our nation is supposed to represent. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom