cannabisnews.com: Amendment Would Legalize Marijuana in Nevada Amendment Would Legalize Marijuana in Nevada Posted by CN Staff on May 11, 2002 at 07:53:27 PT By Geoff Dornan Source: Nevada Appeal A Las Vegas group named Nevadans for Responsible Law Enforcement wants to amend the state constitution to legalize possession and use of marijuana. The petition drive was begun Friday by filing with the Secretary of State's Office, but it has just five weeks to collect more than 61,000 valid signatures.Nevada's Constitution already requires the Legislature to provide for the legal use of marijuana for medical purposes. That language was put in by voters two years ago. The proposed amendment would greatly expand the scope of that section to make Nevada treat marijuana much like it now treats the sale and use of alcohol.It would add that "the use or possession of three ounces or less of marijuana by a person who has attained the age of 21 years is not cause for arrest, civil or criminal penalty, or seizure of forfeiture of assets."The petition would require the state to provide for cultivation, taxation and sale of marijuana including licensing stores to sell pot to those over 21.Those sales could be taxed, but at no more than the rate imposed on tobacco products. It would require that pot be provided at low cost to patients who need it for a medical condition and even protect an individual's supply of marijuana from being confiscated by law enforcement.But the petition would allow the state to maintain penalties for driving under the influence of pot, sales or distribution to anyone under age 21 and special penalties for the sale, use or possession of the drug in a jail, prison or public school.It would also bar smoking pot in a public place or gaming establishment and bar advertising of the drug.The petition's organizers say similar drives are being started in several other states as well and that they feel the public is behind the plan.They will start collecting signatures in Las Vegas this weekend and then move to Northern Nevada.To get on this November's ballot, the petition must get at least 10 percent of the total votes cast in the 2000 elections and reach that same percentage in at least 13 of Nevada's 17 counties.That would require a total of at least 61,336 valid signatures. The deadline for submitting those signatures is June 18 -- just five weeks from now.If they can raise the signatures, the ballot question would then have to be approved by a majority of voters in two successive general elections -- 2002 and 2004 -- to become part of the Nevada Constitution.Complete Title: Constitutional Amendment Would Legalize Marijuana in NevadaSource: Nevada Appeal (NV)Author: Geoff Dornan Published: May 11, 2002Copyright: 2002 Nevada AppealContact: appeal tahoe.comWebsite: http://www.nevadaappeal.com/Related Articles & Web Sites:Marijuana Policy Projecthttp://www.mpp.org/Signature Drive: Group Launches Marijuana Petitionhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12807.shtmlNew State Law Eases Penalties on Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11008.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #2 posted by BGreen on May 13, 2002 at 00:20:19 PT I understand your anger ... but? What is the point of Christian bashing? There are many Christians, like myself, who are on your side.The state of Nevada, and especially Las Vegas, has an incredibly small number of churches compared to other places, so if there is a failure to collect names, instead of blaming a specific group, think about this:The gov't has admitted that anyone who wants the law changed is a potential enemy, and collecting the names and addresses of 61,000 people to turn over to the Amerikan gestapo becomes increasingly difficult as time goes on.61,000 suspects. 61,000 people whose property could be seized. BIG JACKPOT IN NEVADA. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by p4me on May 11, 2002 at 11:38:18 PT another thing to watch 61,000 signatures are not that many. If I heard they were collecting signatures in town, I would call everyone I know and make sure everyone knew that their support was needed. If they cannot get 61,000 signatures I may just give up the internet because I cannot accept that the American citizenry cannot get 61,000 signatures in the midst of all this treason.How about a God damn, the unforgivable sin to the Christains. Yes, many people do not like poking the Christains. But God damn is not unforgivable in my beliefs. What is the God damn for. How about the $600 fine for having a little marijuana. You should be able to have all the marijuana you want. God damned your fines you treasonistic BAHstards.Restore the honor to the jury system. VAAI [ Post Comment ] Post Comment