cannabisnews.com: Brothels, Blackjack, and ... Bongs? Oh My





Brothels, Blackjack, and ... Bongs? Oh My
Posted by CN Staff on August 13, 2002 at 16:25:03 PT
By Steve Friess, Special To The CSM
Source: Christian Science Monitor 
This famously live-and-let-live state, where legal prostitution has given rise to $7 million brothel-resorts and where legal gambling includes video poker machines in grocery stores, may now be poised to break another vice barrier.A first-in-the-nation initiative appearing on Nevada's ballot in November asks the public to legalize marijuana. Not just for medicinal purposes. For recreational use, too. If the initiative is approved, it would then have to pass again in 2004 to become a constitutional amendment.
It's no accident that the Silver State has become the national focus of this debate. The Washington-based Marijuana Policy Project scoured the political landscape last year for a test state and settled on Nevada because of its well-known libertarian bent, a small population that makes the campaign less expensive, and an electorate who already overwhelmingly approved the medical use of marijuana in two ballot questions.Indeed, there's a real possibility that Nevadans could approve the measure, despite federal drug laws that bar any possession whatsoever. The petition effort that placed the initiative on the ballot garnered more than 109,000 signatures – nearly double the required number. And two recent local newspaper polls show the public evenly split."It's a tight race, and we haven't even started yet," says Vincent Frey, deputy campaign manager for Nevadans for Responsible Law Enforcement, the group pushing the initiative. "We plan to identify 25,000 households that we think can swing this our way."Specifically, the initiative would decriminalize possession of less than three ounces of cannabis for anyone over 21. It would also require state legislators to devise a regulatory system for its manufacture and sale.The largest newspaper in the state, the Las Vegas Review-Journal, endorsed the measure as a means to "bring compassion and common sense to drug laws." Gov. Kenny Guinn, a Republican, won't take sides, saying through his spokesman that he's "anxious to see how the electorate votes." Pro-pot's campaign machine To further its cause, the Marijuana Policy Project spent $375,000 on the petition drive. Another $150,000 has already been raised. More is promised as the campaign gears up to buy TV advertising, open offices in both Las Vegas and Reno, and hire more than 50 employees.These pro-pot forces argue that law-enforcement officers have better things to do in this age of terrorism than to bust marijuana users for what some see as a harmless hobby. "We know some people develop an unhealthy relationship with marijuana, but the same can be said about alcohol or tobacco," says Robert Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project, which is funding and directing the Nevada effort. "That doesn't mean all adults who use marijuana should be arrested."Even federal officials admit that the measure could be effective, inasmuch as the issue is primarily on the state and local level anyway. The feds handle only the biggest marijuana busts, so if state or local agents didn't press these charges in Nevada, they'd largely go unprosecuted, says Tom Riley, spokesman for the Office of National Drug Control Policy.Nevada's police apparently provided some surprising backup for such arguments last week. The umbrella organization for nine law-enforcement unions announced its endorsement on grounds that "a simple marijuana arrest takes [police] off the street for several hours and sometimes over half of a shift."That endorsement was rescinded two days later amid embarrassing headlines calling Nevada's cops pro-pot. Some union chiefs insisted either they thought they were supporting the medical use of marijuana or they didn't know they were discussing an official endorsement of a real ballot question.The flap – which ended in the resignation of the umbrella organization's president – jarred the dormant opposition into action. The day after the endorsement, a group of about 25 law-enforcement officials, drug-treatment advocates, and social conservatives met to plan their strategy.Particularly appalled is Deputy District Attorney Gary Booker, who is leading the as yet-unnamed counter group and heads the vehicular crimes unit in Clark County, which includes Las Vegas. The prosecutor says the proposal as it is worded could invalidate current laws governing driving under the influence of marijuana, raise auto insurance rates for everyone, and turn Nevada into a "stoner haven.""All Nevada is going to do is look stupid and foolish," says Mr. Booker, who borrowed three ounces of cannabis from the police-evidence room to show the media that it's enough for 250 joints. "It would be like enacting a constitutional amendment that legalizes slavery. It's illegal and it will still be illegal." Leave us alone Still, such attitudes run counter to Nevada's independent streak. "Nevadans generally have an attitude that, wherever possible, leave the people alone to make their own choices," says Craig Walton, a professor of ethics and policy studies at University of Nevada at Las Vegas. "This measure is probably a natural for a state with a frontier mentality that says, 'Law and order is useful, but let's not go too far.' "Moreover, many in this state are bitter with the federal government over its decision to go ahead with a national nuclear-waste dump about 100 miles outside of Las Vegas. So this move could be cast for voters as a form of rebellion, says Mr. Frey of Nevadans for Responsible Law Enforcement.And rather than being offended by the possibility of becoming the nation's Doobie Capital, some Sin City businesses are positively high on the prospect. "There are unlimited tourism possibilities," travel agent Terry Wilsey gushes. "Las Vegas could become the American Amsterdam."Source: Christian Science Monitor (US)Author: Steve Friess, Special to The Christian Science Monitor Published: August 14, 2002 EditionCopyright: 2002 The Christian Science Publishing SocietyContact: oped csps.comWebsite: http://www.csmonitor.com/Related Articles & Web Sites:NRLEhttp://www.nrle.org/Marijuana Policy Projecthttp://www.mpp.org/ Police Endorsements Makes One Wonder http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13733.shtmlPolice Accused of Illegal Campaign Against Pothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13723.shtmlStance on Marijuana Initiative Stirs the Pot http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13715.shtmlPolice Group Retracts Support of Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13704.shtml 
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Comment #14 posted by John Tyler on August 14, 2002 at 13:59:55 PT
Increased Revenue
If and when this goes through, and the revenue stream from taxation (from the cannabis tax and a general increase in business tax) starts to flow into the city, county and state treasuries, a lot of politicians will be for it. Other states will view this with envy and change their laws also. The antis will try to point out the downside, but if the money is there it will fly. 
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on August 14, 2002 at 07:49:35 PT
2Spooky
I was only kidding about the brothels. I also believe that victimless crimes shouldn't be against the law. Prostitution has been around since the beginning of time and it always will be. I've heard my share of encounters with prostitutes because I know men who have been to Vietnam. Lots of stories and nothing bad. I found the stories interesting too. I would much rather have legal prostitution so no one gets a communicable disease and no one gets hurt. Regulation is the only way to protect both the client and the women who are professional prostitutes. I hope this makes sense.
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Comment #12 posted by 2Spooky on August 14, 2002 at 07:11:48 PT
comment by FoM
I must say that when I was doing my college term paper last year on the drug war and prostitution (victimless crimes whos enforcement costs us all dearly), I found many of the brothel worker interveiws to be surprisingly interesting.Some of these folk would no doubt be facinating conversationalists...even if you didnt purchase their professional services ;b...besides, didnt you mention you were married?It would please me no end to have my wife be good pals with a top-notch hooker, heheheh. Think of all the advice she would get ;)Another thing...how come there are no male-staffed, non-gay brothels??? Damn sexists!
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Comment #11 posted by Toad on August 13, 2002 at 22:52:02 PT
Govenor Guinn is a great big Pu$$y
This rich kid , whose daddy is a major player in the Las Vegas casino scene is "anxious to see how the electorate votes", what a typical politician. Hold onto office at all costs to increase their personal wealth, power, and gushing egos 
 The public is changing their attitude on drug policy and as soon as these spineless two-faced fat cats think the'll get voted out they will start singing the praises of sensible drug policy.
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Comment #10 posted by drfistusa on August 13, 2002 at 20:33:34 PT:
Nevada companyhas world record plant growth produ
Anyone interested in plant growing of any kind should check out the site of this Nevada companythat sell product in Holland,and europe, that has produced 9 world records for giant vegetables,may have some interest come legalizationin Nev.
see www.bioag.com  
http://www.bioag.com
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Comment #9 posted by letsgetfree on August 13, 2002 at 19:43:44 PT
here's another one
SlowI smoke weed to kill the painTo drain the brain and escape The insane brutalityInflicted upon me by this societyThe scars are so deep But the medicine so sweetPop your pills while my soul I fillWith every tokeWith every jokeWith every smileAll the whileSeeing the calmSuch a nice balmSlowS l o wS  l  o  wS   l   o  wL   i   f   eL  i  f  eL i f eLife is amazingSo profoundIt seems almost crazyNot on the groundTo care only about that which isn’t thereUp in the cloudsMaterialistic?	Not pessimisticIt’s all about you?	It’s all about us
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Comment #8 posted by Letsgetfree on August 13, 2002 at 19:40:07 PT
o my
"It would be like enacting a constitutional amendment that legalizes slavery. It's illegal and it will still be illegal."thats gotta be the dumbest thing any anti's ever said. Nevada the whole pot world is looking at you, do us proud! Hopefully this question will get the vote out, as people who don't usua;;y vote might for this ballet.off topic here's another poem i wrote:SNAFU by Chris BowenHow can I change this world when no one wants to listenIt feels like a prisonStuck here in your wallsI can’t feel the Sun!I can’t feel the Sun!There’s no place to runIt’s all too horribleThere’s no place to run!I look up to the skyMaybe I want to dieNo, all I want to do is flyBut I can’t even tryI’m grounded by liesStuck in this horrible world all I can do is cryClass warfare. They fired the first shot!They’re the ones who keep the chains lockedThe billions of economic slaves who fate dealt this shit hand toThe rest who were lucky enough to be born hereWe get to be bored here, bored to tears by their plastic image of truthBuy! Buy! Buy!That’s what the box criesBut it’s all a lieI can’t even move because I don’t want to try to live in this lieSometimes it seems to die is the only chance anyone has to flyAnd that’s enough to make me cryTo weep for all those oppressed by this worldWhere greed is king reigning over all the pearls, That’s the real sinHomogenization of everything Cookie-cutter world, the noose is tighteningGet angry! Get angry!No one cares No one dares to rock the boatNot as long as they floatAlong the river of capital On top of the poor we all want moreI still cry because I think it might be too muchThe truth burnsNo one learnsOr wants to hearThe fear that we’ve been sold to the ones on topWe’re all a part of it, they don’t want it to stopNot until we dropMaking money for themSo they can live like kingsGreed is a sinWe are all guiltyWE ARE ALL GUILTYThe bubbles going to burst It’s going to burst and who’s going to feel it worse?They want it all for themselves But what about the rest?You think they care what’s best?You put your hands out and smile while they slap the cuffs on All the while yelling“Freedom!”
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Comment #7 posted by ekim on August 13, 2002 at 19:03:51 PT
three lids is so little but costs sooooomuch
I hope Mr. Rogers will get some oregano and have a field day with just asking the news people gess how much/ man that would be good, and all the time having a map with pins init to show how much and where. The peice done time delay would blow many minds. All those who smoke and just had a increase in taxs will perk up when the $$$ signs start to roll out on how much people are payen. The people have been quite soft spoken as to what is organic and what is not. One of the hard faught fights of the last few decades was for the right to know what has been done to what we put in us. Iam glad that AZ is on the same wave, I have great respect for DR.Andrew Weild I hope I did not bucher that one to bad. 
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on August 13, 2002 at 18:59:19 PT
Sounds Like Fun!
But I'll skip the brothels! LOL!
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Comment #5 posted by Dark Star on August 13, 2002 at 18:57:23 PT
2004
I can just see it. A little vacation in Sin City in 2004. The Hard Rock Hotel, a little sun, a little music, fine vittles, and the Star Trek Experience. 
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Comment #4 posted by Prime on August 13, 2002 at 18:31:47 PT
Nevada Alcohol Laws...
Every one of these articles fails to mention that Nevada also has the most lenient liquor laws in the country.No closing time for bars. Any merchant can sell alcohol, including hard liquor 24-7, no restrictions.Yup, you can go into any 7-11, AM-PM, mini-mart (where they have cars pulling for gasoline) at 4:00 AM on Sunday morning and buy a half gallon of Vodka.There is also no restriction on how much alcohol one can purchase. If you wanna pay retail you can buy truck loads. No one saying "the legal limit is 72 oz, this is one pint to many sir"
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Comment #3 posted by canaman on August 13, 2002 at 18:25:15 PT
Who looks stupid here? Mr. Booker
"All Nevada is going to do is look stupid and foolish," says Mr. Booker, who borrowed three ounces of cannabis from the police-evidence room to show the media that it's enough for 250 joints. "It would be like enacting a constitutional amendment that legalizes slavery. It's illegal and it will still be illegal."Yeh let's vote on legalizing slavery if YOU can get it on the ballot. In the meantime Mr. Booker, yes cannabis is illegal now but I bet it won't be come Nov. (2004)
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Comment #2 posted by John Tyler on August 13, 2002 at 18:24:45 PT
Inaccrate remark
Mr. Booker, said "It would be like enacting a constitutional amendment that legalizes slavery". It certainly would not. It would be a blow for personal freedom. And why is it OK for him to go around showing off three ounces of cannabis from the police-evidence room (most likely on conmpany time) to show the media and not get in trouble. I bet if a de-criminalizer did the same thing to show how little it was, he would not be doing it for long as he would be quickly arrested. Sounds like a stacked deck to me.
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Comment #1 posted by JHarshaw on August 13, 2002 at 18:22:47 PT
Tourism Possibilities
This is good. The more "Business Types" that see the endless opportunities for increased tourism revenue the more pressure they can bring to bear.Peace and Pot
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