Thirteen Nevada Lawmakers Publicly Back Legalization Initiative
Thirteen Nevada lawmakers have publicly endorsed the state’s voter initiative to legalize recreational cannabis, according to a press release published by the campaign on Thursday.
The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol is a Marijuana Policy Project-sponsored effort that would legalize the adult possession and use of cannabis, and would establish a regulatory system for the commercial distribution of cannabis products to adults. Nevada voters will decide whether or not to end prohibition by voting on Question 2 during this November’s election season.
The endorsements by elected officials closely follow a conflicting story this week, in which the Las Vegas Review-Journal backpedaled their pro-cannabis stance after being acquired by anti-marijuana casino mogul Sheldon Adelson late last year.
Ten of the endorsing lawmakers are current members of the Nevada Legislature, accompanied by one former member of the Legislature, a Clark County Commissioner, and a member of the North Las Vegas City Council.
“This is an exciting day for our campaign,” said Joe Brezny, campaign spokesman. “With so many current and former elected officials coming out in support of Question 2, we are confident the people of Nevada will take the opportunity to regulate marijuana like alcohol this November. The truth is that marijuana should never have been illegal in the first place. As a substance, marijuana is far less harmful than alcohol. It simply makes no sense to punish adults who choose to use the safer substance.”
The following public officials announced their support for legalization:
State Senate Minority Leader Aaron Ford, State Sen. Kelvin Atkinson, State Sen. David Parks, State Sen. Tick Segerblom, State Sen. Patricia Spearman, State Assemblyman Nelson Araujo State Assemblywoman Maggie Carlton, State Assemblyman Edgar Flores, State Assemblywoman Heidi Swank, State Assemblyman Tyrone Thompson, Clark County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani, North Las Vegas City Councilman Isaac Barron, and Former State Assemblyman Jason Frierson.
