MARIJUANA GROUP SAYS FEDS BROKE NEVADA CAMPAIGN LAW

A group that backed a marijuana ballot question rejected by voters in
November says the federal government violated Nevada law by not filing
reports on money spent opposing the question.

Robert Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project, filed a
complaint with Secretary of State Dean Heller alleging that federal drug
czar John Walters failed to submit his campaign finance report.

Heller on Tuesday sent a letter to Walters asking him to respond to the
allegations. The secretary of state said the law requires every person or
group advocating the passage or defeat of a ballot question to submit the
reports.

The ballot issue would have legalized possession of as much as 3 ounces of
marijuana.

As of Octoberis campaign filing, Kampiais organization had spent $1.2
million to qualify the petition for the ballot and to advocate its passage.
A final report was due this week at the secretary of stateis office.

Opponents of the marijuana petition reported in October they collected
$147,800. Their final report also was due this week.

Walters didnit file a report in October and no final report had been
received as of Thursday.

Kampia, in his complaint, said there is no doubt that Walters spent money
in opposing the ballot question. He said Walters even traveled to Nevada
iwith a security detail in towi to fight the plan.

Kampia also said Walters iauthorized and approved a series of
anti-marijuana commercials which aired virtually around the clock in Nevada
during the latter months of the campaign.