Pubdate: Sat, 09 Jul 2011
Source: Lincoln Journal Star (NE)
Copyright: 2011 Lincoln Journal Star
Contact:  http://www.journalstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/561
Author: Peter Salter
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

STATE APPROVES LEGAL POT PETITION LANGUAGE

The day their petition language was approved, organizers hoping to 
legalize marijuana visited a Lincoln restaurant.

They were there for food, not signatures.

"But we had the petitions at the table, and one by one and two by 
two, the entire staff came up to us, and then people out of the 
kitchen," said Len Schropfer, a member of the Nebraska Cannabis 
Coalition. "There's a great wave of enthusiasm."

As well as a great number of signatures left to gather to get their 
unprecedented plan on the November 2012 ballot.

The exact number isn't yet known, but it's likely to be more than 
112,000: The group must get signatures from 10 percent of registered 
voters at the time the petition is due -- in this case, July 6, 2012.

On Friday, the number of voters stood at 1,123,468, according to the 
secretary of state's office.

The coalition also needs to hit the road; state law requires the 
signatures be collected from 5 percent of registered voters in 38 counties.

Schropfer, a Fillmore County farmer, wasn't worried. Early response 
has been strong -- he collected about 30 signatures Thursday at a 
bluegrass concert in Stransky Park and met several potential circulators.

And he was still excited the secretary of state's office recently 
approved the petition language for the Nebraska Marijuana 
Legalization Initiative. The initiative was written and sponsored by 
Holbrook lawyer Frank Shoemaker.

"We think it's big news," Schropfer said. "We're the first state to 
attempt to completely legalize cannabis."

The measure -- if it makes it to the ballot and voters approve it -- 
would allow personal marijuana use for any reason. And it would allow 
the state to regulate -- and tax -- the commercial marijuana trade.

"We're not pushing marijuana. We believe we have the freedom to use 
cannabis just as people have the freedom to use alcohol."

The group is still organizing its effort, but it plans to hit as many 
county fairs as possible -- and it will concentrate on the Nebraska State Fair.

Especially Sept. 4.

"We do plan a big appearance at the Willie Nelson concert."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom