Pubdate: Thu, 13 Jun 2013
Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal (NV)
Copyright: 2013 Las Vegas Review-Journal
Contact: http://www.reviewjournal.com/about/print/press/letterstoeditor.html
Website: http://www.lvrj.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/233
Author: Ed Vogel

SANDOVAL SIGNS BILL CREATING REGULATED POT DISPENSARIES

Measure Allows State Tax Revenue From Grow Farms, Sales

CARSON CITY - Gov. Brian Sandoval signed into law Wednesday evening 
Sen. Tick Segerblom's bill to create state-regulated marijuana 
dispensaries and grow farms to provide pot to the state's 3,785 
medical marijuana patients.

Sandoval's signing of Senate Bill 374 was in doubt because Tuesday he 
had expressed concern about the startup costs of the program, which 
in the long run may provide the state millions of dollars in tax revenue.

The bill would allow the creation of as many as 40 dispensaries in 
Clark County alone. Details of the program must be worked out in 
coming months by the state Health Division. Federal law still makes 
possession and use of any marijuana a crime, although actions are not 
being taken against medical marijuana patients.

"I applaud the governor for recognizing it is time Nevada lived up to 
its constitutional mandate and provided access for patients who have 
legitimate medical needs for marijuana," said Segerblom, D-Las Vegas.

Nevada voters in 1998 and 2000 passed a constitutional amendment 
allowing sick people with doctors' permission to acquire legal 
marijuana. But the 2001 law carrying out the amendment stipulated 
patients had to grow their own marijuana. In a decision last year, 
Clark County District Judge Donald Mosley declared the law 
unconstitutional because it did not provide a legal way for some 
patients, many without growing skills, to acquire marijuana.

Like many of the bills he has signed since the Legislature adjourned 
June 4, Republican Sandoval signed a bill that most GOP legislators 
opposed. Four of 10 Senate Republicans and 14 of 15 Assembly 
Republicans voted against the bill, favored by every Democrat.

Sandoval has 10 working days after the end of legislative sessions to 
sign or veto bills. Since some arrived at his office this week, he 
could be signing measures into law next week as well.

On Wednesday, he gave his consent to 34 more bills. They included:

Assembly Bill 413 allows the Clark County Commission, with approval 
of two-thirds of its members, to assess a gas tax increase of about 3 
cents per gallon a year for three years. Voters in 2016 would decide 
whether to continue or end the tax.

Assembly Bill 475 continues $649 million in payroll, sales and 
business license taxes set to expire June 30 through June 30, 2015. 
Sandoval said the taxes were necessary to balance his $6.6 billion 
state budget. Only nine of 63 legislators disagreed. All were Republicans.

Senate Bill 487 provides $5 million to improve the long-term solvency 
of the Governor Kenny Guinn Millennium Scholarship Program.

Sandoval, who as attorney general was a friend of Guinn's, sought the 
expenditure, which won unanimous support.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom