DONATION BOOSTS MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM

Rights group contributes $15,000; more funding promised by former candidate.

Americans for Medical Rights, the organization that put medical
marijuana initiatives on nine state election ballots, has agreed to
contribute $15,000 toward the costs of operating Nevada's medical
marijuana program. The organization notified former gubernatorial
candidate Aaron Russo that it will match the $15,000 he intends to
raise to fund the program.

A state law that goes into effect Oct. 1 allows Nevadans, with
permission from a doctor, to use marijuana to treat symptoms of AIDS,
cancer, nausea and other illnesses. Gina Pesulima, national
coordinator of Americans for Medical Rights, told Russo the group
supports his efforts to raise money to pay for the medical marijuana
program.

Pesulima said she joined Russo in "condemning Gov. (Kenny) Guinn for
failing to budget the $30,000 necessary for implementing the first
phase of the program."

Although 65 percent of the voters in the November election backed a
constitutional amendment to allow use of medical marijuana in Nevada,
Guinn did not set any money aside in his $3.8 billion, two-year
budget to fund its operation.

Department of Agriculture Director Paul Iverson said last month he
will run the program with existing staff and go before the
Legislature in two years to seek full operating costs. He has
appointed Cecile Crofoot to manage the program.

"Why don't they just donate it to the state?" asked Iverson, who said
on Tuesday he would talk with Pesulima. "We receive donations, $30,
$20, $10. This could lead to more people making donations."

Iverson has been concerned that Russo devotes too much time
criticizing Guinn when the focus should be funding the program.

Two months ago, Russo ran a series of advertisements condemning Guinn
for not funding the program. Russo vowed to raise the funds himself.

Crofoot plans a 1:30 p.m., Aug. 9, workshop at the Sawyer Building in
Las Vegas to gather public comment on the program. A similar meeting
is set for Tuesday in Sparks.

Under the law, Nevadans can grow as many as seven marijuana plants,
of which only three may be mature. The law does not provide them a
way to acquire seeds.

Because he received hundreds of calls from supporters of medical
marijuana, Russo said he is confident he can easily raise $15,000 to
match the money given by Americans for Medical Rights.

In her letter to Russo, Pesulima said Nevada "has an obligation, as
result of passage of the initiative by voters, to assert its
sovereignty and distribute marijuana to Nevada patients with or
without federal permission.

Americans for Medical Rights is the parent organization to Nevadans
for Medical Rights, headed by Dan Hart. which circulated petitions to
put the initiative before voters.