STATE BALLOT QUESTION 9

When residents cast their ballots on Question 9, STOP DUI Director Sandy
Heverly wants them to ask a question: What good comes from decriminalizing
marijuana?

Heverly fears if Nevadans approve the ballot question and allow adults to
possess as much as 3 ounces of marijuana, the end result will be more
carnage on the highways and more drug use by juveniles.

"I honestly believe this is not the future we want for Nevada," said
Heverly, a member of Nevadans Against Legalizing Marijuana. "It comes down
to a matter of what is right and wrong."

She points to a state Office of Traffic Safety study that showed 57 people
died on Nevada highways between 1997 and 2001 in accidents involving
drivers who had been using marijuana. Some of these drivers, however, also
were abusing alcohol and other drugs, said Michael Perondi, a staff member
at the office.

"You only have to look at the statistics and speculate how many more
fatalities we will have if we legalize marijuana," Heverly said.

The move to make Nevada the first state with legal marijuana has captured
the nation's attention. Media have flocked to Las Vegas to write accounts
of the latest sin in Sin City. National drug czar John Walters has made two
trips to Nevada and called marijuana a gateway drug that can destroy lives.

Question 9 initially seemed to have the support of law enforcement
officials when Nevada Conference of Police and Sheriffs President Andy
Anderson announced his organization's backing. But police officials quickly
slammed Anderson, who resigned over the issue. Law enforcement authorities
since have spearheaded the opposition to Question 9.

Under the ballot question, marijuana possession only would be allowed by
adults 21 and older in the privacy of their homes. It would be illegal to
drive under the influence of marijuana. Use in public and by those younger
than 21 also would be prohibited.

Question 9 recognizes the reality of today's America, said Billy Rogers,
leader of Nevadans for Responsible Law Enforcement. Although the drug is
illegal, many people continue to use marijuana, and they should not be
considered criminals, he said. Rogers points to national studies that show
11 million Americans regularly use marijuana.

"Despite all the good intentions of the drug czar, it is clear that they
cannot stop responsible adults from using marijuana," said Rogers, whose
organization collected 110,000 signatures on petitions to put the question
on the ballot. "It is time we tried something different."

To change the state constitution, Question 9 must be passed by voters in
November and again in 2004.

Besides allowing adults to possess 3 ounces, the proposition calls on the
state Legislature to set up a system for the cultivation, taxing and sale
of marijuana, presumably in state-run stores. Low-cost marijuana also would
be made available for the 200 people with state permission to use marijuana
for medical reasons.

Former state Substance Abuse Commissioner Dorothy North said it is
preposterous to think more children would not use marijuana if it became
legal for their parents to possess the drug.

"Look what happens to kids who get into marijuana," said North, who
operates the Vitality House substance abuse center in Elko. "Bright and
sharp kids lose their edge. Their energy to get out and go after it is gone."

But Rogers maintains drug use among teen-agers will drop with legal
marijuana for Nevada adults. He points to a Columbia University study
earlier this year in which 34 percent of juveniles said they could easily
obtain marijuana, compared with 14 percent who said they easily can get beer.

Today, marijuana users must obtain the drug from illicit dealers. With
passage of Question 9, Rogers predicted the dealers would leave Nevada
because legal marijuana would be available through the state.

"We know what happened with (the end of) Prohibition," Rogers said. "It put
the bootleggers out of business. When Question 9 becomes law, you put the
drug dealers out of business."