GROUP SAYS MARIJUANA PETITION ADVANCING

CARSON CITY -- A group pushing a constitutional amendment to liberalize
Nevada's marijuana laws says it is close to getting enough signatures to
put the issue on the November ballot.

Gail Tuzzolo of Nevadans for Responsible Law Enforcement said the coming
weeks will be crucial in getting the necessary 61,336 signatures. The names
must include at least 10 percent of the registered voters in 13 of the
state's 17 counties.

Tuzzolo said the signature-gathering effort is going well in the major
population areas of Las Vegas and Reno, but said there have been setbacks
in some rural counties. She wouldn't say how many signatures have been
collected.

The organization started out paying petition circulators $1 a signature;
that has been raised to $2 a name. Coordinators are being paid an
unspecified lump sum.

The group also has changed its strategy, going door to door rather than
gathering signatures in public places.

The proposal would allow adults to have up to 3 ounces of marijuana without
being charged with a crime. It authorizes the Legislature to set up a
distribution system to get low-cost marijuana to those who need it for
medicinal purposes and for sale to those who are 21 or older.

The proposed amendment would impose a tax on marijuana similar to the one
levied on tobacco products other than cigarettes.

The proposal also would prohibit shipping marijuana into or out of the
state, unless federal law permitted it.

The proposal would prohibit the advertising of marijuana.

The petitions with the names of registered voters must be submitted to
county clerks or the registrar of voters, who would verify the signers are
registered voters.

The amendment would have to be approved by voters this election and again
in 2004 before it would become part of the Nevada Constitution.

Voters in 1998 and 2000 approved a constitutional amendment to allow the
use of marijuana by ill persons who get permission from their doctor.