DONATION BOOSTS MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM IN NEVADA

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 who get a
recommendation from a doctor to use marijuana to treat symptoms of AIDS,
cancer, and other severe 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 also 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."

Crofoot plans an Aug. 7 workshop in Sparks and an Aug. 9 workshop in Las
Vegas to gather public comment on the program.

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.

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.