cannabisnews.com: Assemblywoman Steps Up To Endorse Marijuana
Assemblywoman Steps Up To Endorse Marijuana
Posted by CN Staff on August 18, 2002 at 07:00:29 PT
By John L. Smith
Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Nevada's controversial marijuana initiative finally has a formidable and familiar face. It's Chris Giunchigliani. The 12-year assemblywoman and 23-year teacher has been hired as a consultant to Billy Rogers of Nevadans for Responsible Law Enforcement. Associated with the Washington-based Marijuana Policy Project, the NRLE backs the passage of Question 9, which proposes to change Nevada's Constitution to allow adults to possess up to 3 ounces of marijuana for private use.
An unabashedly liberal Democrat and tireless legislator, Giunchigliani is also known as the driving force in Carson City behind the passage of Nevada's medical marijuana law, which reduced small-time pot possession from a felony to a misdemeanor and provided protection for those using the controlled substance under a physician's care. Giunchigliani's official presence in the pro-Question 9 camp -- she's long been an uncompensated proponent -- is sure to raise questions about whether she's properly blended her roles as legislator and advocate. Others will question whether a teacher ought to represent a pro-pot organization. Politically, her hiring signals a renewed focus by advocates of decriminalization at a time Question 9 appeared to be going up in smoke. The recent political butchering of an unofficial endorsement of the initiative by the Nevada Conference of Police and Sheriffs President Andy Anderson sent several embarrassed cop unions scrambling. Anderson later resigned, but the damage was done: Question 9 was officially on law enforcement's radar screen. That spelled trouble for its advocates. Enter Giunchigliani. She's known for her volatile temper at the Legislature, but in this fight she's playing the role of clear-headed, well-informed Nevadan. The initiative petition was, after all, signed by 109,000 of her fellow residents. The politics of pot makes cowards of many, including some cops, lawyers, and judges, but Giunchigliani predicts those attitudes may change. She doesn't expect to stand alone. "I'll be one face of many," she says. "I think most people in Nevada understand that government should not be involved in casual at-home use. That's the main crux of this. This is not about legalization. This is not about an outside group coming in." It is, however, about getting most of the 109,000 out to vote on Election Day. Endorsements are nice, but it's the ballot that counts. Meanwhile, some law enforcement groups have taken up the fight against Question 9. Leaders of the Police Protective Association Civilian Employees (PPACE) and Law Enforcement Association of Professionals (LEAP) represent 4,500 members and say they'll fight against decriminalization. "We can't fathom that any law enforcement group would condone this at all," PPACE President Shannon Greguras says. "This will affect minority areas. We've tried so hard to keep drugs out of the minority area. To have parents smoking that, even in the privacy of their own home, is not acceptable at all." Adds Metro Capt. Gary Schofield, head of the Asian Pacific Police Association: "We don't know that that's the message we really want to send to the youth in those neighborhoods. The reality is, if it's legal and it's inside of the house, kids are going to be exposed to it. I don't have a problem with medical marijuana, but we're not talking about the same thing. Three ounces of grass for every adult inside a house is a lot of grass. "Legalizing drugs does affect other people in the community. There's going to be a price to be paid somewhere. It's not a free ride." Look for these law enforcement groups to focus not only on drug use in minority neighborhoods, but on marijuana's potential effects on the children of smoking parents. And watch for Giunchigliani, the new face in the Question 9 fight, to raise awareness of this issue to a new level. "You don't want to make criminals out of everyday people who go to work, pay taxes, go home, love their children and their dog, and also smoke," she says. "I don't think they should be penalized for that." John L. Smith's column appears Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Complete Title: Assemblywoman Steps Up To Endorse Marijuana Initiative Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal (NV)Author: John L. SmithPublished: Sunday, August 18, 2002Copyright: 2002 Las Vegas Review-JournalContact: letters lvrj.comWebsite: http://www.lvrj.com/Related Articles & Web Sites:NRLEhttp://www.nrle.org/Marijuana Policy Projecthttp://www.mpp.org/Are Nevadans Ready To Roll Dice on Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13765.shtmlPot Proponents Have Good Points http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13757.shtmlStance on Marijuana Initiative Stirs the Pot http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13715.shtml
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Comment #15 posted by knox42897 on August 19, 2002 at 14:47:35 PT:
medical marijuana doctors
This message is for Duzt. I live in Las Vegas and have been trying to find a doctor that will write a prescription for medical marijuana. I have been in contact with other people who are looking for doctors as well. Can you help me find any doctors in Las Vegas or anywhere in Nevada for that matter?
Respectfully,
Pierre
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Comment #14 posted by Dr Ganj on August 18, 2002 at 14:17:15 PT
Question 9
I can't tell you how many times the filthy fuzz have told me; "We don't make the laws, all we do is enforce them". And, the real porker beauty- "If you want the laws changed, then vote to have them changed". Well, that's exactly what the voters are going to do this November. The residents of Nevada are happy will their lavish casinos, 24 hour booze, legal brothels, and soon will be packing their desert bongs with Silver State Sinsi Buds!We're mad as hell, and we're not going to take it any more!Down with the fuzz. Legalize the healing herb. Get out and vote. Stop the madness. Dr. Ganj
http://www.maps.org
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on August 18, 2002 at 10:08:03 PT
The GCW
You're very welcome.
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Comment #12 posted by The GCW on August 18, 2002 at 09:35:20 PT
As a young boy
I played chess, like today in this war.Chess was always on My mind.Now the game, at hand, gets the benefit.One of the people that is on My mind is that grand master who wrote the N.Y. Times chess article every day for ever and ever (the longest running article in history), but He won games with out even looking at the board. He could play a hundred games w/o even seeing the board or pieces, and win them all.We are playing a good game of chess.NV. has an excelent chance of beating the cheaters.Is that fair to consider the game against cheaters?Sure.Nevada is on My mind.Be sure to direct energy toward registering people to vote 30 days before the election.Yes, a very good game.I like it.
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Comment #11 posted by The GCW on August 18, 2002 at 09:22:22 PT
police no longer just uphold the laws...
If this law does not pass, the cops can no longer say,I don't make the laws, I just follow them.It is a mistake for cops, to be liars.
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Comment #10 posted by Ethan Russo MD on August 18, 2002 at 09:12:14 PT:
Thank God
that other people are on their toes! FoM, that is "Entering the Fray" and the symposium is Saturday September 28! Could you correct this, please?I did not get a lot of sleep last night between teenagers up late and ER calls from the hospital to both my wife and me.
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Comment #9 posted by Duzt on August 18, 2002 at 09:04:25 PT
Symposium
Ethan, I'm looking forward to your symposium, but is that the correct date? You sent me an email about it and it says a different date (28th). I'm bringing a friend who is one of the first legal patients here in Nevada and hopefully a few doctors from the Fallon area. There are a few doctors here in Northern Nevada that are writing perscriptions so hopefully there should be a great turnout. Looking forward to the event.
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Comment #8 posted by Ethan Russo MD on August 18, 2002 at 08:41:26 PT:
Entering the Fray
Things are getting exciting. On Sept. 28, in the midst of this campaign, I will be chairing a clinical cannabis symposium in Reno:http://www.cannabisculture.com/articles/2574.htmlI am hoping that Ms. Giunchigliani will join us and say a few words.I would greatly appreciate any CNews denizens sharing this link with their health care providers, and encouraging them to attend. We'd like to have a good exposure and educate more people on the issue.
Thanks.
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Comment #7 posted by The GCW on August 18, 2002 at 08:38:35 PT
goneposthole
good insight.They don't step up to endorse paying for sex... Very good.
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Comment #6 posted by The GCW on August 18, 2002 at 08:36:49 PT
Thank You FoM,
And with all love, I indicate...In a free (including Spiritually FREE, through the Holy Spirit of Truth, levels of FREE) society people shouldn't be incarcerated (caged like a wild beast) because of a plant that is as old as the earth itself (plant, which came before man, made for man, and also for the wild beast).The wild beast does not stop man from partaking of what We were given. While we all need a little time to sin. It is the sin of the prohibitionists to cage instead of accept and love the brothers for accepting and using the plant.Pray for the prohbitionists, that they are done with their time of sin, through their own will to receive every thing to do with only the Truth.I took plenty of time to sin, Myself.Sinned up a storm.My time of sin ended.Yours can and will too.Our Father will even confirm, Truth, to shine on the right path, for at the end of sin time, He will be the only One there.God Bless everyone to the comfort of what Jesus Christ gave in the Holy Spirit of Truth.This is where it is at, first.8:18:2The Green Collar Worker
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Comment #5 posted by goneposthole on August 18, 2002 at 08:25:45 PT
I wonder
Do the Nevada Police endorse gambling and prostitution? How about Alcohol? Firearms?Tobacco?Hyprocrisy is looking them in the eye.How about the Nevada Health Professionals Associations? Do they endorse gambling, prostitution, alchohol, firearms and tobacco?
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on August 18, 2002 at 08:22:30 PT
Thanks Dan!
John Smith was on the radio program on NPR a few days ago. My opinion of what he had to say was he hopes the initiative passes. Not because he believes in it but it makes good news to write about. I find that offensive. We are fighting for our personal freedom to pick our own poison as they say and that's the bottom line. In a free society people shouldn't be incarcerated because of a plant that is as old as the earth itself.
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Comment #3 posted by Dan B on August 18, 2002 at 08:11:26 PT:
John L. Smith . . . again
Giunchigliani's official presence in the pro-Question 9 camp -- she's long been an uncompensated proponent -- is sure to raise questions about whether she's properly blended her roles as legislator and advocate. Only for someone who believes that a legislator should agree with the status quo, barring all other points of view from any expression whatsoever. What a stupid statement to make. Does this author really believe that no views other than his own should be allowed? Apparently, yes. Remember, this is the notorious John L. Smith (real name?) who has suddenly become one of Nevada's biggest proponents of the totalitarian hatred pogrom we know as the war on some drugs.Here are some links to his other ridiculous articles:http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/13/thread13733.shtml
http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/13/thread13715.shtml
http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/10/thread10932.shtml
http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/8/thread8700.shtmlDan B
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Comment #2 posted by The GCW on August 18, 2002 at 07:27:05 PT
"This train can't be stopped because the people su
The initiative petition was, after all, signed by 109,000 of her fellow residents.[no matter] "We can't fathom that any law enforcement group would condone this at all," PPACE President Shannon Greguras says, [for it would mean police would loose some job security, and power.] [& cop says]"This will affect minority areas. [and He is right, because if they can not continue caging minorities like they have, it will effect them, IN A POSITIVE WAY, BY NOT CAGING THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES]!The police should be watched to insure they don’t spend a donuts worth of tax money on fighting the will of the people for their own greed!("It is time for law enforcement to stop, look and - most of all - listen," Gutierrez said. "This train can't be stopped because the people support it."from, Gubernatorial Candidate Endorses Drug Initiative, http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread13779.shtml)When it was a felony to use cannabis in NV, it did not stop me and it did not seem to stop anyone else.
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Comment #1 posted by The GCW on August 18, 2002 at 07:13:34 PT
This is a good move.
cops against the drug war...
http://drcnet.org/cops/
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