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September 21, 2006

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - A group pushing a plan to decriminalize adult possession of limited amounts of marijuana has asked state Attorney General George Chanos to intervene against southern Nevada officials opposing the plan.

The complaint filed by the Committee to Regulate and Control Marijuana says Clark County commissioners, while on public time, passed a resolution against Question 7, and Clark County Sheriff Bill Young and Las Vegas Metro Det. Todd Raybuck also publicly opposed the plan.

Neal Levine, campaign manager for the ballot question, also said that Metro Lt. Stan Olsen is the representative of the Committee to Keep Nevada Respectable, a group formed to oppose Question 7, and uses a Metro address as a return address for the committee.

The complaint adds that Nevada law prohibits public officers from expending public funds, time or resources in support or in opposition to a ballot question.

Levine also pointed to a 2004 attorney general's opinion that states public funds can be spent in such cases "only to create or disseminate a television program that provides a forum for discussion or debate regarding the ballot question, provided that persons both in support of and in opposition to the ballot question participate."

Nevada voters approved a constitutional amendment allowing marijuana use for medical purposes in 1998 and 2000. Two years later, they rejected efforts by national advocates to allow adult possession of up to three ounces for non-medical use. The latest proposal would allow adults to possess up to one ounce.

The committee was thwarted in a first attempt for a constitutional amendment by not gathering enough signatures to qualify for the 2004 ballot. After that, the organization got enough signatures to present the issue to the 2005 Legislature. The measure automatically qualified for this year's ballot after lawmakers failed to act.

Under Question 7, the state would license wholesalers and retailers to sell the drug. Each would pay $1,000 for an initial license and $1,000 annually for the permit. It also would increase penalties for driving under the influence and restrict where pot could be sold.

Levine has said approval of the plan would make Nevada the first in the nation to tax and sell marijuana statewide through state-regulated stores.

Copyright: 2006 Las Vegas Sun, Inc.

September 20, 2006

Advocates of a ballot measure legalizing marijuana say Clark County commissioners have broken the law by speaking out against the measure.

The Committee to Regulate and Control Marijuana filed a complaint with Nevada Attorney General George Chanos today. The group claims commissioners have used public resources to oppose Question 7 on the November ballot.

They passed a resolution today voicing their opposition. Question 7 would allow small amounts of marijuana to be sold to adults 21 years old or older.

The drug would be sold at licensed retailers that could not be located within 500 feet of a church or school.

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press

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FROM TODAY'S RENO GAZETTE:

http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060920/NEWS10/609200346/1002/NEWS

Marijuana initiative faces heavy opposition, poll shows Guy Clifton (GCLIFTON@RGJ.COM) RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL September 20, 2006

Nevada voters who overwhelmingly rejected an initiative to legalize marijuana in 2002, appear to be opposed to the latest version of the initiative that will appear on the Nov. 7 ballot.

A Reno Gazette-Journal/KRNV News 4 statewide poll of 600 likely voters found across-the-board opposition to Question 7, the Marijuana Initiative, which would allow those 21 and older to legally possess, use and transfer 1 ounce or less of marijuana. It also would regulate sale of marijuana and increase criminal penalties for causing death or substantial bodily harm when driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The poll found 55 percent of likely voters against the proposal, 37 percent in favor and