cannabisnews.com: Marijuana Market Initiative Planned Marijuana Market Initiative Planned Posted by CN Staff on September 28, 2004 at 12:09:59 PT By Cy Ryan, Sun Capital Bureau Source: Las Vegas Sun Carson City -- Backers of pot decriminalization are pushing a plan that would establish marijuana markets, stores licensed to sell pot and taxed by the state.A group behind an unsuccessful plan that would have allowed adults to possess up to one ounce of marijuana without facing a criminal charge has started a new initiative petition to decriminalize pot in Nevada. If the signature-gathering effort succeeds, the marijauna markets proposal would then be considered by the 2005 Legislature.The Committee to Regulate and Control Marijuana filed its petition Monday with Secretary of State Dean Heller and it has until Nov. 9 to collect 51,337 signatures of registered voters."It's going to be close but we're confident we can get them," Larry Sandell, campaign manager for the committee, said.The organization circulated a previous petition to amend the Nevada Constitution, but didn't get the required signatures by the deadline. It is appealing this case to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal.If the committee secures the signatures on the new petition, it will be presented to the 2005 Legislature, which must act on it within 40 days. If the Legislature does not act or if it changes the petition, the issue will go on the 2006 election ballot.Sandell said Nevada would be the first state to set up a system of regulation. But he said a question on the Alaska ballot this election will deal with permitting marijuana.The new Nevada initiative says, "Rather than spending millions of taxpayer dollars arresting marijuana users, the state of Nevada should instead generate millions of dollars by taxing and regulating marijuana, and earmark part of these revenues to prevent and treat the abuse of marijuana, tobacco, alcohol and other drugs."It said by allowing those 21 and older to use marijuana in their homes, police would have more time to prevent and investigate serious crimes such as murder, rape, assault, robbery and driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.The state would license wholesalers and retailers to sell the drug. Each would pay $1,000 for an initial license and $1,000 annually for the permit.A retailer or wholesaler could not locate within 500 feet of a school or church. Licenses for selling the drug would not be issued to gas stations, convenience stores, grocery stores, nightclubs, gaming casinos or dance halls. Those businesses that sold liquor would be barred from having a permit to sell marijuana.The proposed initiative would continue to prohibit a person from driving under the influence of marijuana. It would also prohibit possessing marijuana in a public place, jail or public school.The original petition to amend the Constitution was declared invalid because some of the signatures were gathered from people who signed up to vote at the time or after they signed the petition.A panel of 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the claim of the marijuana proponents that those signatures should be counted. The group is now asking for a hearing before the full court.Sandell said if the group gets the question on the ballot for the constitutional change, it would probably drop its second petition.Source: Las Vegas Sun (NV)Author: Cy Ryan, Sun Capital BureauPublished: September 28, 2004 Copyright: 2004 Las Vegas Sun Inc.Contact: letters lasvegassun.comWebsite: http://www.lasvegassun.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Marijuana Policy Projecthttp://www.mpp.org/Backers Confident of Pot Petitionhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19438.shtmlMarijuana Referendum May Get New Life http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19437.shtmlMarijuana Petition Fails To Qualify in Nevadahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19423.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #4 posted by siege on September 28, 2004 at 18:47:23 PT pot and politics pot and politics collide medical marijuana gebatehttp://kntv.feedroom.com/iframeset.jsp?ord=260720 [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on September 28, 2004 at 18:15:58 PT Heads Up: KNTV - NBC11 I'm not sure how many will be able to get this program but here's the link.Press Release Source: KNTV NBC11 NBC11 Tells the Stories of People at the Center of the Medical Marijuana DebateTuesday September 28, 6:30 pm ET 'Pot & Politics: California vs. the United States' Airs Thursday, September 30 at 10:00 p.m. SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- NBC11 explores the human side of the medical marijuana controversy Thursday at 10:00 p.m. in "Pot & Politics: California vs. the United States." NBC11 News crews spent several months documenting the lives of people affected by the battle over medical marijuana: the cancer patient trying to cope with the pain of his terminal illness; the Drug Enforcement Agency official who has to live with threats of violence; the activist who continues to distribute the drug even after multiple arrests."We discovered that at the heart of this political issue are very moving personal stories," said Jim Sanders, Vice-President of News and Operations for NBC11. "For one hour, we look not at the policies but at the people on both sides of this very emotional issue."Since 1996, when Californians voted to allow marijuana use for medicinal purposes, the state and federal governments have been at odds over the legality of the California proposition. "Pot & Politics: California vs. the United States," takes viewers inside the medical marijuana movement, and inside the DEA office charged with enforcing federal law."Pot & Politics: California vs. the United States," is hosted by NBC11 anchors Allen Denton and Lisa Kim.NBC11 is owned by NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates the No. 1 television network, the fastest-growing Spanish-language network, a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. Source: KNTV NBC11http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040928/sftu115_1.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by The GCW on September 28, 2004 at 17:29:19 PT Regulated Cannabis may help people drink less. http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36%257E73%257E2422420,00.html?search=filterThe logic of responsibilityBy Ed QuillenSo far this month, two university students in Colorado have died after drinking too much alcohol. Many people think this means that somebody should do something to prevent future tragedies like this, but what? ...Logic demands one or the other.Logic, however, has nothing to do with how America runs, especially in this regard. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, about 350 Americans die every year from accidental alcohol poisoning. In all of recorded history, not one person has ever died of a marijuana overdose.So guess which substance is illegal.(write a letter) Contact: openforum denverpost.com [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on September 28, 2004 at 15:08:49 PT DPFCA: Why I Am Going to DC October 5th Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2004 Dear Friends and allies,Over the last few years we have seen some amazing shifts in the federal war on medical marijuana and those who need it. The Supreme Court upheld the Conant descion allowing doctors the legal right to talk about cannabis therapies with their patients, judges giving one day and six month house arrest in cases holding 20 and 40 year mandatory minimums, the ninth circuit upheld Angel McClary Raich, Diane Monson's, and WAMM's injunction against Ashcroft, Keith Alden and Bryan Epis walked out of jail before finishing their terms pending appeal, states across the country considering and passing pro-medical marijuana legislation, presidential candidates vowing to put a moratorium on raids, the list goes on and on.Despite all of these victories, Congress is not moving forward on medical marijuana policy. The next Administration & Congress need to know there is a way to end the war on patients outside of the legislature. There is a petition for rescheduling cannabis in front of Health and Human Services right now. Marijuana can and should be rescheduled by health officials, not politicians, and this is how it can happen.The bottom line is Marijuana is medicine and Health and Human Services has an obligation to make it legally available for those who need it. HHS's failure to act has put this countries most vulnerable citizens in the situation of choosing between life and breaking the law. Over 40% of Oncologists admit to recommending cannabis to their patients, with over 300,000 Americans in chemotherapy a year, that means that HHS policies are making as many as 125,000 cancer patients have to make that choice every year.SO... I am going to DC on October 5 to help end the war on medical marijuana patients FOREVER! I will not sit by and let HHS drag it feet while patients and caregivers live in fear of arrest prosecution. I will not sit by and be called a criminal for following my doctors advise. AND I will not sit by and watch another Administration fail to provide safe and legal access to all those who need medicine.Medical Marijuana has come so far, let's finish it so that patients can go back to fighting their conditions not their government!Please join me in DC and be a part of history! Demand that HHS do their job and reschedule medical marijuana immediately!See you there...Steph Sherer Executive Director Americans for Safe Access www.safeaccessnow.org 1700 Shattuck Ave. #317 Berkeley, CA 94709 phone: 510-486-8083 fax: 510-486-8090Join the fight for medical marijuana rights! To receive ASA alerts, send a blank email to asa-subscribe lists.riseup.netSTOP THE FEDERAL WAR ON PATIENTS FOREVER! October 5, 2004, Washington DCPATIENTS CONVERGE TO DEMAND RESCHEDULING MEDICAL MARIJUANA: HEALTHCARE, NOT POLITICS HHS: OUR HEALTH IS IN YOUR HANDS!WHAT: RALLY FOR RESCHEDULING MARIJUANA AS MEDICINE WHERE: HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (HHS), WASHINGTON DC Meet in front of Smithsonian Castle 9:45 am, (Smithsonian Metro stop) and march together to HHS for 10 am rally at 200 Independence Ave, SWWHEN: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5 2004, 10 AM WHO: PATIENTS, DOCTORS, MEDICAL ASSOCIATIONS& YOU!WHAT IS IT? This rally of medical marijuana patients and medical associations will affirm that marijuana DOES have accepted medical use, and to recommend its immediate rescheduling! Its time that HHS accepts that Our Health is in Their Hands, and does their job.LOGISTICSSaturday and Sunday Oct 2-3: 9 am - 5pm. Patient convergence: Come early and help create exciting visuals to express ourselves, participate in activist trainings, and build a stronger medical marijuana community! Meet activists and organizers from around the country! (Flemming Center, 1426 9th st. NW and P st. Mt. Vernon Square/Convention Center and Shaw/Howard University are the closest Metro stops.)Sunday Oct. 3: 1-4pm Civil Disobedience Training (Flemming Center, 1426 9th st. NW and P st. Mt. Vernon Square/Convention Center and Shaw/Howard University are the closest Metro stops.)Monday Oct 4: Noon. Press conference at National Press Club of medical professionals & patients calling for rescheduling, announcing next day action and ASA petition submission.5-9pm Town hall meeting of all patients' unions and participants. Location TBAOct 5: 9:45 am. Meet in front of Smithsonian Castle, (Smithsonian Metro stop) and march together to HHS for 10 am rally at 200 Independence Ave, SWSuggested Dress: Red tops and white pants/skirts to show a sense of medical emergency.We will all be making t-shirts with our messaging on the weekend with that scheme, and may have some to sell. We are staying way from the big 'leaf' icon, highlighting images of hands & pharmaceutical medicine containers instead. Docs encouraged to wear white coats. Lobbyist attire unnecessary!Accommodation: We recommend Hostelling International http://www.hiwashingtondc.org/1009 11th Street N.W. Washington, D.C. 20001 (202) 737-2333 OrBest Western Downtown/Capitol Hill http://travel.yahoo.com/p-hotel-386461-best_western_downtown_capitol_hill-i724 Third St Washington, DC 20001 202-842-4466Transportation: Buses will be leaving from the following cities:New York, NY (10/04/04 10am) Ceet on 14th St. at 7th Ave. Contact: Sasha sjetton hotmail.com or 212-665-2257Philadelphia, PA (10/04/04 12m noon) Meet on Broad St. at Walnut. Contact: Stacey safeaccessnow.org Space is limited on the buses! Please RSVP so we can hold a seat for you!WHO ARE WE? Americans for Safe Access (ASA) is the largest national grassroots coalition working to protect the rights of patients and doctors to legally use marijuana for medical purposes. Our mission is to ensure safe, legal access to marijuana for all who are helped by it. We provide legal training for lawyers and patients, medical information for doctors and patients, media support for court cases, activist training to grassroots organizers, and rapid response to law enforcement encounters. We work with local, state and national legislators to raise awareness of issues concerning medical marijuana patients. For more information, call 510-486-8083 or visit http://www.safeaccessnow.org [ Post Comment ] Post Comment