cannabisnews.com: Drug Czar Plans Nevada Visit To Fight Pot Question Drug Czar Plans Nevada Visit To Fight Pot Question Posted by CN Staff on September 18, 2002 at 11:59:39 PT By Emily Richmond Source: Las Vegas Sun As Nevadans consider whether or not to support legalizing small amounts of marijuana through Question 9, the nation's drug czar is planning a two-day visit to the state as part of an aggressive campaign to defeat the measure.John Walters, chief of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, is expected to meet with law enforcement officials and visit treatment centers during the two-day visit Oct. 9 and 10, according to a spokeswoman. Walters was also in Nevada this summer, speaking out against the legalization of marijuana. Walters' agenda distressed some of the ballot measure's supporters."It's somewhat disturbing that our federal tax dollars are being used to campaign on a state issue," said Bruce Mirken, spokesman for the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, one of the principal backers of the Nevada initiative."Mr. Walters is paid to serve the public, not tell them what to think."In addition to targeting the upcoming ballot question, Walters' office has stepped up anti-marijuana campaigns on other fronts, with television and radio spots aimed at both children and parents. The project includes public service announcements and brochures that portray marijuana as a potent and addictive drug that can lead to high-risk behavior.If approved by voters in November, Question 9 would allow people older than 21 to possess up to 3 ounces of marijuana, which could be used at home but not in public places. Like tobacco, marijuana would be taxed and available for sale in licensed stores.Nevadans for Responsible Law Enforcement, the group backing the ballot initiative, say the measure would allow critically ill patients to more easily obtain marijuana without paying exorbitant prices. It would also impose penalties on anyone who provided marijuana to minors or smoked in public. Source: Las Vegas Sun (NV)Author: Emily Richmond Published: September 18, 2002 Copyright: 2002 Las Vegas Sun, Inc.Contact: letters lasvegassun.comWebsite: http://www.lasvegassun.com/Related Articles & Web Sites:NRLEhttp://www.nrle.org/Marijuana Policy Projecthttp://www.mpp.org/Drug Czar To Lobby in Nevada http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14161.shtmlGoing to Pot: Nevada Plan to Legalize Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14104.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #8 posted by p4me on September 18, 2002 at 15:49:04 PT My suggestion If justice would ever lead to the public hanging of John Walters, I think it only fitting that it should be a hemp rope.1,2 [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by charmed quark on September 18, 2002 at 15:31:20 PT: And Water's always complaing about ... And Water's always complaining about how a couple of millionaires have been helping fund state referendums! But he has no problem using our tax dollars.Anyway, I agree that the more he open's his mouth the more damage he does to his case. And he's starting to force wider publicity on the medical and recreational movements that until recently have been totally ignored by my East Coast papers.Way to go.-Pete [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by st1r_dude on September 18, 2002 at 14:40:38 PT nuff said "Mr. Walters is paid to serve the public, not tell them what to think."this is what will derail his efforts - nevadans surely an independant lot will surely snarl in his face with disdain...hee hee - i hope protestors show up at his "preaching to the choir" cop audience and let him have the facts in his face...yes - "It's somewhat disturbing that our federal tax dollars are being used to campaign on a state issue,"very disturbing, and hopefully illegal... [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Dark Star on September 18, 2002 at 13:47:57 PT Is it just me? Is it just me, or don't Walters' rantings seem counter-productive? Does he make an attractive spokesman? Is he changing anyone's mind? [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by malleus on September 18, 2002 at 13:37:38 PT By all means, Mr. Walters, go to Nevada! By doing so, you provide proof that the feds are doing something illegal by using taxpayer dollars in trying to derail a popular referendum. And, given that feds have made parts of Nevada unlivable for many years, and plan to make it more so with those nuke waste shipments, please, go tick off all those fence sitters on the Q9 referendum. All they need is just one more blast of meddlesome idiocy from Washington coming out of your mouth on how to live their lives to vote for Q9 out of a desire to flip you and all feds the bird.Walters going there and telling them how to vote will go over like the proverbial lead balloon. By all means, sir, please go! [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Sam Adams on September 18, 2002 at 12:58:38 PT this looks good! The Sun is the paper that is against the initiative, right? It looks like the "butt-out feds!" angle may have hit a nerve here, they don't seem to like Walters sticking his nose in.Welcome to the fray, Mr. Walters. You're going to LOSE. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by knox42897 on September 18, 2002 at 12:47:30 PT: Drug Czar go away Hello Fellow Nevadans, I just wanted to say that we should protest Walters visit to Nevada. I would also like to share the nevadans for resposible law enorcement new commercials airing now on local tv stations and the internet, click the link to check them out http://www.mpp.org/NRLE_commercials/justthefacts.mov http://www.mpp.org/NRLE_commercials/unbiased.movP.S. if anyone in las vegas would like to organize a protest for walters visit please feel free to email me. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by The GCW on September 18, 2002 at 12:47:05 PT Deadline to register TO VOTE, is near.There are just over 2 weeks left for NV. citizens to be sure to get registered to vote before the Oct. 5th deadline, which is 30 days in advance of the election. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment