WEALTHY TRIO BACK MARIJUANA INITIATIVE

In their quest to loosen drug laws, three wealthy men have shelled out most
of the $1.1 million spent so far to promote a November ballot initiative
that would require Arizona state police to hand out free marijuana to the ill.

University of Phoenix founder John Sperling and investors George Soros and
Peter Lewis have contributed the bulk of the money to finance Proposition
203. The three have funded 19 initiatives in other states with a high rate
of success.

Battleground Arizona, the group opposing the initiative, has raised
$104,100 and spent $67,566, according to a campaign report filed last week.
Spokesman Troy Corder said opponents aren't worried and are relying on
people's common sense to defeat the proposal.

"We knew we were going to be outspent," said Corder, adding that their
campaign can't afford television or radio ads. "We're not frustrated. We
know we're on the right side."

The measure would allow residents who are seriously ill to go to the
Department of Public Safety to get two ounces of marijuana every month.
They would need a doctor's note. The measure also decriminalizes possession
of small amounts of the drug.

Proposition 203 spokesman Sam Vagenas said national non-profit groups are
spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in Arizona to try to indirectly
persuade people to vote against the measure.

"It's not a coincidence these groups decided to run anti-marijuana ads
right now," Vagenas said.

The 203 campaign, which is airing radio ads promoting the initiative, has
amassed $1.3 million. As of Oct. 10, the campaign had $212,099 in cash.