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Will Nevada make pot next legal vice?

By Sandra Chereb

Associated Press

October 18, 2006

RENO, Nev. -- Nevadans tolerate gambling and prostitution. What's next, marijuana?

Maybe. Organizers of a Nevada ballot measure hope voters in a state where almost everything goes will go one better and legalize the illegal drug.

If it passes Nov. 7, Nevada will be the first state to allow adults to possess up to an ounce of pot that they could buy at government-regulated marijuana shops.

The Committee to Regulate and Control Marijuana, which has pushed medical marijuana and decriminalization laws around the country, thinks Nevada -- with its embrace of certain vices and its streak of Western independence -- is a perfect venue.

In an editorial last spring, the rural Lahontan Valley News argued that gambling, Nevada's most powerful industry, caters to "visceral pleasures," and that it would hypocritical to oppose the legalization of marijuana on moral grounds.

Proponents also argue that the legal system wastes time and money on low-level marijuana offenses, and that taxing and regulating pot would put drug dealers out of business while freeing law enforcement to focus on violent crime and more dangerous drugs such as methamphetamine.

"Put it into a tightly controlled and regulated environment. We think that makes a lot of sense," said Neal Levine, executive director of the Committee to Regulate and Control Marijuana.

Opponents, including law enforcement, the nation's drug czar, and civic and business groups, argue the measure would encourage the use of other drugs, and they question whether it will even prove to be a good source of tax revenue.

"The fact is, growing, distributing and warehousing marijuana will still be a federal offense," said Todd Raybuck, a Las Vegas police officer and spokesman for the Committee to Keep Nevada Respectable, which opposes the measure. Question 7 allows people 21 and older to possess an ounce of marijuana in their homes -- the same amount allowed under Nevada's medical marijuana law. Currently, possession of an ounce or less is a misdemeanor punishable by a $600 fine.

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papaboo951 wrote: B]Will Nevada make pot next legal vice?


Hopefully. I'd legitimise all drugs - but woe betide anyone being naughty under

the influence of what they'd taken!

I was thinking about this today, although on more of a national scale.

Ohio had recently voted on banning cigarette smoking in public places across the state, and I started to realize how that would effect sales as well as the taxes being revenued. I then thought about how soon in the future the legalization of pot would hold serious ground, considering that it also can be taxed, which would generate billions of dollars going to the the U.S. Only one draw back that I can see in the legalization of marijuana, is whether or not it can be proven to be a gateway drug. One can look at alcohol and ask the same thing. I myself would see it decline in popularity if it were legalized, due to the fact that kids will be exposed to it at a much earlier age like that of cigarettes and alcohol, not to mention that people are going to do it if they want to do it regardless, because to be quite honest, marijuana is easier for a child to get than beer. Sounds crazy doesn't it, but it's true.

Not to mention tax payers money being waisted to jail people who happen to have had a little "weed" on them....no different than alcohol.

papaboo951 wrote: Will Nevada make pot next legal vice?

By Sandra Chereb

Associated Press

October 18, 2006

RENO, Nev. -- Nevadans tolerate gambling and prostitution. What's next, marijuana?

Maybe. Organizers of a Nevada ballot measure hope voters in a state where almost everything goes will go one better and legalize the illegal drug.

If it passes Nov. 7, Nevada will be the first state to allow adults to possess up to an ounce of pot that they could buy at government-regulated marijuana shops.

The Committee to Regulate and Control Marijuana, which has pushed medical marijuana and decriminalization laws around the country, thinks Nevada -- with its embrace of certain vices and its streak of Western independence -- is a perfect venue.

In an editorial last spring, the rural Lahontan Valley News argued that gambling, Nevada's most powerful industry, caters to "visceral pleasures," and that it would hypocritical to oppose the legalization of marijuana on moral grounds.

Proponents also argue that the legal system wastes time and money on low-level marijuana offenses, and that taxing and regulating pot would put drug dealers out of business while freeing law enforcement to focus on violent crime and more dangerous drugs such as methamphetamine.

"Put it into a tightly controlled and regulated environment. We think that makes a lot of sense," said Neal Levine, executive director of the Committee to Regulate and Control Marijuana.

Opponents, including law enforcement, the nation's drug czar, and civic and business groups, argue the measure would encourage the use of other drugs, and they question whether it will even prove to be a good source of tax revenue.

"The fact is, growing, distributing and warehousing marijuana will still be a federal offense," said Todd Raybuck, a Las Vegas police officer and spokesman for the Committee to Keep Nevada Respectable, which opposes the measure. Question 7 allows people 21 and older to possess an ounce of marijuana in their homes -- the same amount allowed under Nevada's medical marijuana law. Currently, possession of an ounce or less is a misdemeanor punishable by a $600 fine.


They'll proably pass it as soon as the politicans come down of the coke, pills, and booze. Hmmmn.

If they do I'm moving to Nevada...

My thoughts, exactly, Carla! I wonder how many of those people who retired in Nevada because of advantageous tax rates/low utilities will be happier still, smoking DOPE and buying Twinkies? :wah:

Bill Sikes wrote: Hopefully. I'd legitimise all drugs - but woe betide anyone being naughty under

the influence of what they'd taken!Mark the calendar. I agree with Bill. :-3

Accountable wrote: Mark the calendar. I agree with Bill. :-3


Ditto. :-6

What drives me crazy is that so many people (a majority i believe ) want certain laws to be changed and not a damn thing happens. Our representitives actually dont care what we want. They believe they are protecting us from our bad ideas or something to that nature. How long will everyone put up with our governments not doing what the majority wants?

And those who're just happy having some fun in the hot tub under the stars shouldn't have to fear the NARCS!