POT POLITICS

If it feels like something's amiss this political season, it's because
you haven't heard the Marijuana Policy Project people wedge themselves
into all this political squawk just yet. Well, here they come, saying
that "medical marijuana states" could determine the Democratic
presidential nominee. And guess what? Nevada is a medical marijuana
state!

But with the "e" word--electability--on everyone's minds, will
Democratic voters really give two puffs about which candidate is for
medical marijuana and which isn't? MPP spokesman Bruce Mirken says
yes.

"I'm not going to claim it's the top issue on most people's minds,"
Mirken says. "But I think a lot of people are making assumptions
[about candidates] that are incorrect." For instance, he points out
that Howard Dean blocked a medical marijuana bill in Vermont in 2002,
and that John Edwards said it would be "irresponsible" to stop the
arrest and prosecution of medical marijuana patients. However, Kerry
and Clark, who have pledged to end raids on medical marijuana users
and providers, get a thumbs up from MPP.

"Several medical marijuana states were very close in 2000," Mirken
says, "including Nevada and Oregon. Is it possible a few thousand
voters would cast their vote based on [a candidate's stance on medical
marijuana]? Yes. In a close election, it might be the difference."