Pot initiative opponents plan rally at newspaper

Friday, Oct. 25, 2002 | 11:18 a.m.

Opponents of Question 9 were scheduled to hold a rally outside the Las Vegas Sun building in Henderson today, where the husband and daughter of Sun Associate Editor and Vice President Sandy Thompson were expected to urge voters to defeat the measure.

Thompson was killed in a car accident in August caused by a man driving under the influence of pot.

Gary Thompson, a former Sun managing editor who now works as an executive for Harrah's, says his message will also be taped for a television ad opposing Question 9, which would decriminalize small amounts of marijuana for adults.

Thompson said his wife, who wrote columns focusing on the family court system, opposed the legalization of marijuana. He said he is not opposed to marijuana's medical use but is against legalizing it for recreational purposes.

"If you allow people to possess marijuana, a certain percentage will travel on roads under the influence and kill people while they are in their cars waiting at a stop light," Thompson said, describing how his wife was killed on Aug. 9.

"People from California and Arizona and other places will drive to Las Vegas to buy legal pot and a number of them will start smoking it before they get to the privacy of their own homes. ... Accidents will skyrocket, as will deaths and insurance premiums."

Earlier this week, 21-year-old John Simbrat pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of a controlled or prohibited substance, causing death, in the crash that killed Thompson.

According to the Nevada Highway Patrol, Simbrat had a large amount of marijuana in his system and was traveling at least 20 mph over the speed limit when he slammed into the back of Thompson's car at the Las Vegas Beltway and Far Hills Avenue.

Under a plea bargain, he will be sentenced to between four and 20 years in prison on Dec. 9.

A chief supporter of the pot initiative, however, said that Question 9 provides for strict penalties for those who drive under the influence of the drug.

"Anyone who drives under the influence of marijuana and kills someone should go to prison for a long time," said Billy Rogers, spokesman for Nevadans for Responsible Law Enforcement, which backs Question 9.

"Under Question 9, the line is drawn at the front door. Anyone who drives under the influence and kills someone will go to prison for a long time."

Thompson said he understands that provision under the proposed law, but he said, "prosecution is one thing. I would rather practice prevention."

Rogers, who said his organization's "thoughts and prayers are with the Thompson family," added that current marijuana laws -- the ones in effect when Sandy Thompson was killed -- "are not working."