CANDIDATES MOSTLY AGREE IN FORUM

Six Say Easing State's Marijuana Laws Unwise

Candidates running for the state's three most powerful law enforcement
positions unanimously agreed Friday night that easing Nevada's marijuana
laws is a terrible idea that would imperil the state.

In a televised forum, the men vying for Clark County sheriff, Clark County
district attorney and Nevada attorney general also each expressed support
for the death penalty and for lowering the blood-alcohol level at which a
motorist is considered impaired.

Friday night's question-and-answer session with the six candidates saw the
men echoing one another in their answers to almost every question asked of
them.

In fact, the phrase "I agree with my opponent" seemed to be the defining
statement of the event.

The lack of diversity of opinion among the six men was apparent when the
candidates were asked to give their stance on Question 9, the ballot
measure that would allow Nevadans to legally possess up to 3 ounces of
marijuana.

"I feel that it's the single biggest threat to the criminal justice system
in the state," Republican attorney general candidate Brian Sandoval said.

"I don't want to see Nevada become the Amsterdam of America," said his
opponent, Democrat John Hunt.

Non-partisan sheriff's candidates Randy Oaks and Bill Young agreed.

"I just think it's the absolute worst message for young people that our
state would become the state with the most liberal drug laws in the entire
country," said Young, a Las Vegas deputy police chief.

"I am adamantly opposed to Question 9, let there be no mistake about that,"
said Oaks, a police captain.

Republican district attorney candidate David Roger said Question 9
represented "a breakdown in the moral fiber of our society."

His Democratic opponent, Mike Davidson, summed up the six candidates' views.

"It's unanimous -- it's a dumb idea," said Davidson, an assistant district
attorney.

All six candidates also said they favored lowering the blood-alcohol level
at which a driver is considered intoxicated to 0.08 percent from its
current level of 0.10 percent.

Moderated by KVBC-TV, Channel 3 news anchor Nina Radetich, the forum was
co-sponsored by the Review-Journal and will be replayed on KLVX-TV, Channel
10 at 1 p.m. Sunday.