cannabisnews.com: Americans Vote on Marijuana Use Americans Vote on Marijuana Use Posted by CN Staff on November 05, 2002 at 11:40:44 PT US federal law prohibits all use of cannabis Source: BBC News As polling gets underway in the crucial mid-term elections, right across the United States votes are also being cast in a number of ballots on a range of local issues. Top of the agenda in six states is the controversial issue of whether to ease the laws on marijuana. The most revolutionary proposal is in Nevada, where the voters will decide whether it should become the first state to allow people to carry up to 84 grammes (three ounces) of marijuana. "I would rather tax it like cigarettes and put money into education and rehabilitation than put it in the hands of drug dealers". -- Nevada state Representative Chris GiunchiglianUS anti-drugs Tsar John Walters is against any movement to ease the drugs laws, saying it is irresponsible. Licensed shops Under the Nevada plan citizens over the age of 21 would be able to buy the drug in state-licensed shops, rather than having to resort to dealers on the street. The move is sponsored by Nevada state Representative Chris Giunchiglian who says, "our war on drugs in not working and it's time we admitted that". "Marijuana is now three times easier to get than alcohol and tobacco simply because it's not regulated. I would rather tax it like cigarettes and put money into education and rehabilitation than put it in the hands of drug dealers," he added. Many advocate the use of marijuana to alleviate pain. But the electorate in the state famous for gambling is divided over the proposal. According to a recent poll, 44% of the population is in favour of the move, while 46% are against it and 10% remain undecided. In traditionally liberal San Francisco, home of the pot-smoking hippie revolution of the 1960s, "Proposition S" has voters deciding whether to allow the city to begin growing marijuana for seriously ill patients. Therapy Jumping on the medical use bandwagon, Arizona's citizens are voting on whether to create a register of people who use the drug for medical purposes. In tandem with this the penalties for those using it for merely recreational purposes would be tightened. In South Dakota the proposal facing voters is whether it should be legal under state law for people to plant and possess industrial hemp. In Washington DC and Ohio initiatives are being considered whereby those convicted of using marijuana would be offered treatment instead of punishment. Grassroots concerns More than 200 state initiatives have been included on Tuesday's ballot sheets, ranging from health care to animal rights. Both Massachusetts and Colorado have tabled votes on whether state should only be allowed to conduct lessons in English - bilingual education is already blocked in California and Arizona. In Oregon voters are being asked to support the nation's first universal health care system, funded by a single-payer insurance plan. And in New Mexico the decision rests on whether to change the state's constitution to permit "idiots" and "insane persons" to vote in elections. "There are so many varieties of mental illness with people who are perfectly capable of making a decision," state elections official Denise Lamb said. Source: BBC News (UK Web) Published: Tuesday, November 5, 2002Copyright: 2002 BBC Website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/ Contact: http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/talking_point/Related Articles: US Mulls Pot Law Ballot http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14660.shtmlSan Francisco Considers Growing Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14640.shtmlNevada Voters Face Marijuana Initiative http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14605.shtmlMarijuana Initiative Qualifies for Arizona Ballothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13727.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #10 posted by FoM on November 05, 2002 at 15:35:38 PT They Will Have Results On Hemp in SD Here http://elections.yankton.net/sd/referendums.shtml [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on November 05, 2002 at 14:19:40 PT Columbus News We just subscribed to local news on Direct TV so we can find out what's happening with Issue 1 and if Hagan gets elected. They just said there's a glitch and if you voted for Hagan the vote went to Taft! Unbelievable! [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by FoM on November 05, 2002 at 14:16:07 PT el_toonces I don't even have a CNews email anymore because of all the viruses. As soon as we get any idea what's happening I will post it or if someone finds it first I'm sure they will. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on November 05, 2002 at 14:13:54 PT The GCW We sure will keep you posted! It will be a late night until we know since the results only start coming in around 8. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by el_toonces on November 05, 2002 at 14:13:09 PT: Having to use web-mail.... ...as my regular e-mail is either infected with some d**med virus or my e-mail server at the cable company is just filled with junk e-mail infected with viruses sent by the computer of some poor chap with an infection -- either way, no norml (ta-da - rim shot!) mail. Dying to know what the voters in NV are doing.El [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by The GCW on November 05, 2002 at 13:51:42 PT Friends Thank You for posting info. *No TV for Me. *I'll be here.By My understanding We have a minimum of 45% of the vote, in NV.What did Alaska do, last???Gotta love Nevada! [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on November 05, 2002 at 13:22:52 PT South Dakota http://www.state.sd.us/sos/sos.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on November 05, 2002 at 13:21:07 PT Here's Ohio http://www.state.oh.us/sos/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by CorvallisEric on November 05, 2002 at 13:17:23 PT Live Arizona results tonight http://www.sosaz.com/election/2002/General/2002_general_results_query.htmGood weather today in Phoenix, Tucson, Las Vegas, Reno. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on November 05, 2002 at 12:15:55 PT Nevada Voting Results Will Be Here Nothing so far!http://sos.state.nv.us/nvelection/nvers_gen_2002/results/index.cfm [ Post Comment ] Post Comment