DRUG CZAR STUMPS AGAINST NEVADA'S MARIJUANA QUESTION

Walters Meets With Law Enforcement, Community Leaders On Second Lv Visit

The nation's drug czar made the rounds today to Las Vegas news media
outlets, including the Sun's editorial board, to make a pitch against
passage of a Nevada ballot question to legalize possession of small amounts
of marijuana.

This was the second visit to Las Vegas this year by John Walters, whose
official title is chief of the Office of National Drug Control Policy as
part of a campaign to defeat Question 9. His first visit was in July.

Walters also was to meet with law enforcement officials and visit treatment
centers, a spokesman said.

Question 9 proposes to allow people older than 21 to possess up to 3 ounces
of marijuana, which could be used at home but not in public places. The
drug would be taxed and sold in licensed stores.

Question 9 would have to be approved by voters on Nov. 5 and again in 2004
to become law.

Walters has traveled recently to other states that have medical marijuana
ballot questions, including Florida, where one newspaper quoted him as
saying the argument for medical marijuana is the equivalent of "selling
snake oil."

Nevada voters in 2000 overwhelming approved medical marijuana and the state
Legislature last year passed the measure to allow its prescribed use.

Nevadans for Responsible Law Enforcement, the group backing the ballot
initiative, says the measure would allow critically ill patients to more
easily obtain marijuana without paying high prices. It also would impose
penalties on anyone caught smoking pot in public or selling marijuana to
minors.

Opponents say marijuana is a potent and addictive drug that can lead to
high-risk behavior.