DRUG CZAR BLASTS MARIJUANA ISSUE ON NEV. BALLOT

Reno, Nev.- The nation's drug czar said that Nevada's ballot issue to
legalize possession of marijuana is ludicrous and that the measure's
supporters are relying on distortions and voter naivete.

"This is a con, and it's insulting to the voters of the state in which it
is presented," John P. Walters said Friday

"We have a momentous decision in this state," he said. "We saw the problem
that marijuana was massively underestimated in the public mind, and if we
didn't do anything it would grow. That's why I came."

Nevada's measure would allow adults to possess up to 3 ounces of marijuana
that could be sold - and taxed - in state-licensed smoke shops.

"This is the most extreme ballot issue they've done so far," Walters said.
Gesturing to 3 ounces of marijuana in three sandwich-sized bags, he added,
"That's enough to make 250 cigarettes. That's not personal use."

Walters, chief of the office of National Drug Control Policy, called
backers of Nevada's Question 9 "misguided people who have a lot of money
and decided to make this state a guinea pig."

Among those providing financial support for passage of the measure is Peter
B. Lewis, chairman of Mayfield-based Progressive Corp.