DON'T BLAME NEVADA AG

To the editor:

In response to your Jan. 14 editorial, "Subverting the Law": Contrary to
your editorial, I am not making any attempts to subvert the will of the
Nevada voters by establishing a distribution program for medical marijuana.
Part of the confusion on this issue may be the result of Dan Hart of the
Nevadans for Medical Rights erroneously stating that Louis Ling is a deputy
attorney general and speaks for my office. Louis Ling is a member of the
staff of the Board of Pharmacy and is not associated with my office.

As attorney general, I did not set up the Medical Marijuana Initiative Work
Group, and I have not taken any steps to establish a research study at the
University of Nevada. The work group was organized by the Board of
Pharmacy, not by my office, and consists of members of the Board of
Pharmacy, Board of Medical Examiners, and Board of Osteopathic Examiners.

The work group prepared a report recommending that the Legislature adopt a
research program to implement the Medical Marijuana Initiative. It was the
work group's conclusion that this program is the best way to make the use
of medical marijuana legal under existing federal law. I did not
participate in the preparation of this report or its recommendations.

It is my hope that the Legislature is able to establish a system that
fulfills the wishes of the Nevada voters, and which does not violate
federal law. To that end, I have repeatedly noted that the U.S. Supreme
Court has agreed to hear a case involving the distribution of medical
marijuana in California. The resolution of this case may assist the
Legislature in establishing a system that will not put participants --
including patients, doctors, and distributors -- at risk of violating
federal law.

The office of the attorney general is prepared to assist the Legislature
and law enforcement in implementing the initiative. However, I can assure
you that I am not taking any steps to implement any distribution or
research program.

FRANKIE SUE DEL PAPA

CARSON CITY