The petition, which has been filed with Secretary of State Dean Heller, requires 51,337 signatures of registered voters by Nov. 9. If enough signatures are collected, the proposal would go before the 2005 legislature before it is presented to voters.

"It's going to be close, but we're confident we can get them," said Larry Sandell, campaign manager for the committee.

Under the plan, the state would license stores to sell marijuana, and the taxes raised from pot sales would go to the state. In addition, the state would profit from the $1,000 initial licensing fee and a $1,000 annual renewal fee charged to retailers.

The initiative reads: "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."

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