Nevada Police Group Switches Sides on Decriminalization August 16, 2002
News Summary
The Nevada Conference of Police and Sheriffs (NCOPS) reversed its previously stated position and now says it is against a statewide initiative that would decriminalize marijuana, the Associated Press reported Aug. 9.The state's largest police organization ousted its president, Andy Anderson, who was blamed for the "misunderstanding," and said that the executive board had not endorsed decriminalizing marijuana. Anderson previously had announced that NCOPS board had voted unanimously to endorse the marijuana initiative.
"NCOPS does not endorse Question 9, nor will it support any measure for the decriminalization or legalization of marijuana," the organization said.
Billy Rogers, head of Nevadans for Responsible Law Enforcement, the main political group supporting the measure, said that political pressure caused the NCOPS board to withdraw its previous support for the initiative.
"There was tremendous pressure from the politicians and the law enforcement establishment to get these board members to change their minds," said Rogers.
Under the statewide initiative, adults can legally possess up to three ounces of marijuana. The drug would be sold in state-licensed and taxed smoke shops.
COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE: