PANEL DEBATES POT INITIATIVE

Professionals Explore Proposed Change to State Marijuana
Laws

A debate last week on the pros and cons of decriminalizing marijuana
brought out more than 50 students and community members wanting to
hear more about the issue before voting in next weeks election.

Six panelists from the medical, political and educational communities
debated Nevada ballot initiative seven, which would legalize the sale
and possession of up to one ounce of marijuana for people 21 and older.

The University of Nevada, Reno's Center for the Application of
Substance Abuse Technology, Student Organization of Providers of
Addiction Services, and the Substance Abuse Treatment Program hosted
the forum, which featured three panelists in support of Question 7 and
three in opposition.

According to panelist Patrick Killen, communications director for Yes
on Question 7, Nevada's marijuana laws have failed.

"We would suggest by taking marijuana out of the hands of violent
gangs and drug dealers and taxing it and regulating it, we would have
a far more suitable policy for Nevada," Killen said.

One of the opponents, Todd Roybuck, spent several years in the
narcotics division of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

Representing NevadaSaysNo.com, Roybuck said legalizing any amount of
marijuana might lead to drastic social change.

"My biggest issue with Question 7 is that legalizing marijuana for
adults tells our kids that smoking pot is just part of growing up," he
said.

While all the panelists said the forum went very well, senior Zachary
Michalka said there were times he wasn't satisfied.

"I honestly thought the discussion got off track too often," he said.
"It was still a good discussion when it did stay on track."

Michalka, a general studies major, said he attended the forum because
he wanted to learn more about Question 7 in order to make an informed
vote.

Laiel Winder, president of SOPAS, said this was exactly what the forum
was intended to serve.

"With the marijuana initiative being such a popular topic right now,
we thought this would be a way for students and people of the
community to learn about the different sides of the issue so they that
could make an informed decision," Winder said.

Panelist Stephen Frye, a former UNR professor, came to the forum with
a few facts for the audience.

"From the pharmacological effects of marijuana, there have been no
recorded deaths," Frye said. "7,500 people died last year from aspirin
and ibuprofen."

While many audience members supported Question 7, Roosevelt Blackburn
Jr. said he was concerned marijuana stores would target and hurt
poorer Nevada neighborhoods.

"It just makes property values go down even worse," he said.