Nevada could be drug haven if Question 9 passes, police say

Jen Lawson

Thursday, Oct. 3, 2002 | 9:51 a.m.

Nevada could become a haven for drug dealers if Question 9 passes, Southern Nevada police officials said Wednesday at a rally against the initiative.

Thirty-five members of law enforcement gathered at the South Central Area Command on Las Vegas Boulevard to show their opposition against Question 9, a ballot initiative that would allow adults to possess 3 ounces or less of marijuana without fear of arrest.

Nevadans for Responsible Law Enforcement, the group behind the initiative, said legalizing marijuana would allow police to spend more time going after serious criminals rather than wasting valuable resources hunting down nonviolent pot smokers.

But police don't see it that way.

"As a leader of law enforcement, I don't want to be responsible for the increase of criminal activity that -- make no mistake about it -- will follow the passing of this measure," Sheriff Jerry Keller said.

Keller held up a plastic baggie containing 250 marijuana cigarettes.

"This is not oregano, this is marijuana," Keller said. "This is what three ounces looks like."

Question 9 would hurt the tourism industry, County Commissioner Bruce Woodbury warned. Woodbury said drug dealers would lurk on every corner.

But Nevadans for Responsible Law Enforcement say that drug dealers will leave Nevada if Question 9 passes, because only state-licensed establishments would be permitted to sell marijuana.

Henderson Police Chief Michael Mayberry said that more kids would smoke marijuana if the initiative passes -- even though decriminalization under Question 9 applies only to adults.

North Las Vegas Police Chief Mark Paresi gave nine reasons why he felt voters should vote against Question 9.

"Question 9 will ruin Nevada's reputation for all the world to see," Paresi said. "Nevada will have the most liberal drug laws in the United States. We're just begging for trouble."