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The420Guy
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LAS VEGAS (AP) - Nevada's largest police organization ousted its president
Friday and reversed his endorsement of a statewide initiative that would let
adults legally possess small amounts of marijuana.
The Nevada Conference of Police and Sheriffs issued a statement blaming
former president Andy Anderson for a ``misunderstanding'' and declared that
the executive board had not endorsed decriminalizing marijuana when Anderson
polled them Tuesday.
The organization said Friday it doesn't endorse the measure, which will
appear on the Nov. 5 ballot, ``nor will it support any measure for the
decriminalization or legalization of marijuana.''
The group represents about 3,000 Nevada law enforcement officers - about
two-thirds of police in the state.
Anderson, one of the founding members of the 23-year-old organization, could
not be reached for comment Friday night.
On Tuesday, he said, ``We just feel we could use our resources better. Why
waste our time with marijuana arrests?''
Until last year in Nevada, it was a felony to possess a single marijuana
cigarette. Now, possessing an ounce or less is a misdemeanor.
The ballot initiative would allow marijuana to be sold only in state-licensed
and taxed smoke shops. Possession by minors would still be a crime and public
use would be banned.
The measure would have to pass twice - in November and again in 2004 - to
become law.
By KEN RITTER
The Associated Press
Friday and reversed his endorsement of a statewide initiative that would let
adults legally possess small amounts of marijuana.
The Nevada Conference of Police and Sheriffs issued a statement blaming
former president Andy Anderson for a ``misunderstanding'' and declared that
the executive board had not endorsed decriminalizing marijuana when Anderson
polled them Tuesday.
The organization said Friday it doesn't endorse the measure, which will
appear on the Nov. 5 ballot, ``nor will it support any measure for the
decriminalization or legalization of marijuana.''
The group represents about 3,000 Nevada law enforcement officers - about
two-thirds of police in the state.
Anderson, one of the founding members of the 23-year-old organization, could
not be reached for comment Friday night.
On Tuesday, he said, ``We just feel we could use our resources better. Why
waste our time with marijuana arrests?''
Until last year in Nevada, it was a felony to possess a single marijuana
cigarette. Now, possessing an ounce or less is a misdemeanor.
The ballot initiative would allow marijuana to be sold only in state-licensed
and taxed smoke shops. Possession by minors would still be a crime and public
use would be banned.
The measure would have to pass twice - in November and again in 2004 - to
become law.
By KEN RITTER
The Associated Press
