cannabisnews.com: Many Planning Conventions are High on Marijuana





Many Planning Conventions are High on Marijuana
Posted by CN Staff on September 24, 2002 at 08:39:09 PT
By John L. Smith
Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal 
If Question 9's proponents live out their field of dreams, private adult marijuana use will be decriminalized. But that controversial possibility raises an important question: If we smoke it, will they come? They, being the more than 35 million tourists who annually travel to Las Vegas to play. It's a question UNLV professor Patti Shock recently asked her colleagues.
The answers she received startled her. Shock, chairwoman of the university's Tourism & Convention Department, forwarded a column I wrote on Question 9 to an Internet list server with approximately 4,000 meeting planners from across the country and Europe. She also asked their opinions on whether marijuana decriminalization would be an issue in consideration of Las Vegas as a site for their next convention. With two exceptions, respondents said they believed it would have no negative effect on tourism and might possibly have a positive impact. "I was amazed that the majority of them were supportive of it," Shock says. She admits a truth many Southern Nevadans refuse to acknowledge: The rest of the world doesn't take Las Vegas as seriously as some Las Vegans do. Take prostitution, for instance. Locals know it's illegal in Clark County, but a large percentage of tourists -- perhaps influenced by the proliferation of direct-to-you "private dancer" advertisements -- believe otherwise. Either way, the presence of readily available prostitution hasn't exactly hurt the visitor volume. "It amazes me how many people think prostitution is legal in Las Vegas," Shock says. "I get that all the time." While some people are offended by the relative openness of the gambling and nightlife subculture, Shock also knows that Las Vegas isn't exactly subtle. Visitors might be overwhelmed, but no one is confused by its adult themes. "Vegas is Vegas," she says. "If you don't like what Las Vegas offers, stay home. There's Disney and there are other places to see, but Vegas is Vegas." And from the look of responses to her e-mail inquiry, pot passage would generate more positive than negative fallout among tourists. A sample of responses: One tourism official: "Neutral ... but, hey, I live in Austin, where anything goes!" A meeting planner: "It would positively impact my opinion of Las Vegas." Another: "Let's see if legal pot will raise more of a stink (pun intended!) than the legal prostitution." Another: "We've got our annual meeting in Las Vegas in October 2003, and I doubt it will have any impact on our attendees. It would not have made a difference in our selection." Another (who sounds like a pro-Question 9 lobbyist): "It seems to me that the law is wording that possession of under 3 ounces would be deemed legal, taxable, and regulated. I think it's a great move for a substance that's been demonized since the mid 1930s, when it was prohibited after a 90-second congressional debate. Others may differ in their opinions; it's really a question of whose propaganda you want to believe." Another: "Is it really legalizing marijuana it, or decriminalizing it? ... And to think there are some people still in federal prison convicted for smuggling marijuana back in the late '70s and '80s." Another: "I'd book Vegas regardless of pot or not -- the city is an attraction, and for the right groups it means higher attendance and bottom line that is what matters these days." Another: "I think it's a great idea! People are going to smoke dope -- legal or not -- so why not regulate and tax? I applaud LV for their forward-thinking!" Another: "I've been to Amsterdam and I loved it. I don't think pot would make a negative impact." Of the planners who responded negatively, the one who elaborated argued from a drivers' safety and social health perspective -- not on moral grounds. Most viewed Las Vegas as a bastion of vice, not virtue. In a state that celebrates and promotes high-rolling gambling and legalized prostitution, the possibility of decriminalizing pot just doesn't sound like that outrageous an idea. "In fact," Shock observes, "it might even help business." John L. Smith's column appears Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Complete Title: Many Planning Conventions Here are High on Marijuana PropositionSource: Las Vegas Review-Journal (NV)Author: John L. SmithPublished: Tuesday, September 24, 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/New Breed of Voters May Stir Pot of Politicshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14214.shtmlLegalizing Marijuana: Five Major Sticking Points http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14204.shtmlGoing to Pot: Nevada Plan to Legalize Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14104.shtml
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Comment #7 posted by John Tyler on September 25, 2002 at 07:28:58 PT
Big Money Maker
This is going to be a big money maker for Nevada. The business interests are just now starting to pick up on it. Once they get on board the "Cannabis is good for Nevada Business" bandwagon there will be no stopping it. 
*** Cannabis for your health and happiness ***
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on September 24, 2002 at 21:18:56 PT
karkulus
Thanks for the laugh! Wayne Newton! Oh No Mr. Bill! LOL!
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Comment #5 posted by CorvallisEric on September 24, 2002 at 21:11:22 PT
karkulus
There was one long-forgotten reason for my hating Las Vegas for years (except for very recently). And you had to remind me! ;)
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Comment #4 posted by karkulus on September 24, 2002 at 16:16:42 PT
pack yer bags,kids..
we're going to..um..SEE WAYNE NEWTON,that's it "SEE WAYNE NEWTON!"
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Comment #3 posted by Dan B on September 24, 2002 at 09:24:24 PT:
From John L. Smith?
Aside from the snide title, this piece is actually pro Question 9, whether that was the intent of its author or not. Does anyone else find it interesting that this came from the pen of John L. Smith, noted prohibitionist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal? Past articles by this guy are full of deceit and one-sided debate in favor of prohibition. Maybe now that he sees the money angle, he's beginning to warm up to the idea.You are correct, malleus; that last statement not only will turn the tide, but it is in fact turning the tide already.Dan B
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on September 24, 2002 at 09:09:53 PT
Heads Up: NPR Radio On Question 9 Today!
National Public Radio's "All Things Considered" will feature Billy Rogers, currently on leave from the Marijuana Policy Project to direct Nevadans for Responsible Law Enforcement, the group running the Question 9 campaign in Nevada.    see: http://www.Question9.org"All Things Considered" is a nationally syndicated NPR program. The program is scheduled to run Tuesday, September 24, on KNPR 89.5 FM in Las Vegas at 3:30 p.m. PST and again at 5:30 p.m. PST.For all other cities, check your local NPR listings for airtimes.
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Comment #1 posted by malleus on September 24, 2002 at 08:51:44 PT
And the last bit is what will turn the tide
*In a state that celebrates and promotes high-rolling gambling and legalized prostitution, the possibility of decriminalizing pot just doesn't sound like that outrageous an idea. "In fact," Shock observes, "it might even help business." *When the money people start smelling fresh green ink on paper, they'll start being more supportive.
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