Marijuana Group Files New Nevada Legalization Bid November 15, 2004
News Summary
The Committee to Regulate and Control Marijuana has filed paperwork in Nevada that would require state lawmakers to consider legalizing up to one ounce of marijuana during next year's legislative session, the Associated Press reported Nov. 9."The marijuana regulation initiative makes sense because it gives society control over marijuana, while our current prohibition policies keep marijuana completely uncontrolled," said Rob Kampia, executive director of the Washington, D.C.-based Marijuana Policy Project.
The group has filed 84,665 signatures of registered voters in five counties in Nevada. If a minimum of 51,337 signatures is verified, state law requires lawmakers to consider passage of the measure during the first 40 days of the 2005 session. If they fail to do so, the measure automatically goes on the 2006 ballot.
While Larry Sandell of the Committee to Regulate and Control Marijuana doesn't expect the legislature to pass the initiative, he said debate on the issue would be beneficial.
"It's important for the legislature to have this debate before it goes to the people," Sandell said. "It will help bring more light to the issue and legitimize it."
The Committee to Regulate and Control Marijuana is taking the legislative route after it failed to obtain the required signatures to qualify for the Nov. 2 ballot.
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