Pubdate: Fri, 15 Mar 2013
Source: Las Vegas Sun (NV)
Copyright: 2013 Las Vegas Sun, Inc
Contact:  http://www.lasvegassun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/234
Author: Anjeanette Damon

NEVADA LAWMAKER TO INTRODUCE BILL LEGALIZING MARIJUANA

CARSON CITY - Assemblyman Joe Hogan, D-Las Vegas, said his measure to 
legalize marijuana possession will be introduced in the Assembly on 
Friday, making Nevada the sixth state to consider decriminalizing pot.

"We've wasted a tremendous amount of money spoiling teen-agers lives, 
chasing them around until we can arrest them for something," Hogan 
said. "And marijuana is not just a harmless plant. The medical 
benefits are remarkable."

Hogan, a retired naval officer and Department of Defense employee, 
said he does not smoke pot.

"Maybe 45 years ago someone gifted me a few puffs, but I have not 
been a user at all," Hogan said.

Rather, he is more concerned with the societal benefits of legalizing 
marijuana, he said.

Hogan is working with a Las Vegas doctor who has been pushing the 
issue. Dr. Stephen Frye, who calls himself Dr. Pot, has been pushing 
marijuana legalization.

Voters in two states, Colorado and Washington, decriminalized 
marijuana possession in November. Lawmakers in Oregon, Hawaii and New 
Mexico are considering pot legalization measures.

Nevada already allows for medical marijuana use. But patients who 
have a medical marijuana card have no legal way to obtain it. Sen. 
Tick Segerblom, D-Las Vegas, has sponsored legislation to create a 
dispensary system in Nevada.

Segerblom said Thursday he is not cosponsoring Hogan's measure.

"I'm sticking to medical marijuana," he said.

Hogan said Assemblymen Andrew Martin and Paul Aizley are cosponsoring 
the measure. He's also hoping for some Republican support.

"I'm really hopeful" it will pass, Hogan said. "It would benefit a 
lot of people."

Andrew Doughman contributed to this story.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom