TV forums planned on marijuana laws

Friday, July 19, 2002 | 9:44 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Secretary of State Dean Heller will conduct televised public forums in Las Vegas and Reno next week to take comments on the proposed softening of marijuana laws.

Heller said Thursday his office must write the pros and cons of the proposed constitutional amendment, which will be on the November election ballot.

"Although these public forums are not required by Nevada law, as the state's chief elections officer, I strongly believe they are an essential element in the process of shaping language describing a ballot question." he said.

The Las Vegas forum will be held Tuesday and televised on Las Vegas ONE, Cox cable Channels 1 and 39, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. The call-in number is 735-3291. Questions or comments can also be sent in advance via e-mail to the secretary of state's office at nvelect@govmail.state.nv.us or by fax to (775) 684-5718.

Questions directed to the secretary of state's office must be received before noon Monday.

Heller said he is asking representatives from both sides to participate.

The proposed amendment would decriminalize possession of 3 ounces of marijuana or less by adults.

The Reno forum will be held Monday.

Heller said he did the same thing two years ago on the proposed constitutional amendment to prohibit marriages between persons of the same sex.

The marijuana initiative petition qualified for the ballot by gathering more than 61,336 signatures of registered voters.

When the Legislature states a proposed constitutional amendment, it sets up a committee to write the language for and against the issue.