A newspaper poll suggests that most Nevada residents oppose a proposed ballot initiative calling for legalization of small amounts of marijuana.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported April 11 that 56 percent of those polled said they opposed the measure, while 34 percent expressed support; 10 percent were undecided.

The Committee to Regulate and Control Marijuana already has the signatures needed to get a proposal on the November ballot that would legalize possession of one ounce or less of marijuana for adults age 21 and older.

"I think it shows the public is smart enough to realize they are being hoodwinked by a group that wants to legalize drugs," said Lt. Stan Olsen, a legislative lobbyist for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. 

"We know we have a tough road to climb, but I don't think we are that far behind," said Neal Levine, campaign manager for the pro-legalization committee.

In 2002, a similar poll found that the public was about evenly split on the legalization question; an initiative to legalize possession of three ounces or less of marijuana later failed by a 61-39 percent margin.