[dankedout]

As some of you already know, Nevada will be voting this novemember to legalize and tax marijuana for adults 21 and older. I just got a email today from MPP saying that voters are split exactly 50/50 on the ballot. This is the most support any state has ever shown for a bill to legalize marijuana. I think this is great news! Here is the email:

Great news! The Marijuana Policy Project recently commissioned a survey of 5,000 registered voters in Nevada which revealed that voters are split precisely 50% to 50% on our ballot initiative.

Our initiative — which the Nevada government has already certified for the November 7 ballot — would end marijuana prohibition entirely for adults aged 21 and older ... if the initiative receives over 50% of the vote.

Only five times in the history of the country has a state voted on such a ballot initiative. The best showing so far was the 44.5% vote in Alaska in November 2004, so the fact that our survey shows the Nevada initiative is polling at 50% to 50% is significant.


We used Nevada's voter rolls to make our calls, which means we know we were surveying 5,000 actual registered voters. (In typical public opinion polling, a polling firm will call random phone numbers and "screen out" people who say they're not registered to vote or unlikely to vote, and end up with 500 completed interviews.)

Interestingly, we discovered that regular voters are just as likely to support our initiative as voters who vote irregularly — both groups of voters are split 50% to 50% on our initiative. So we need every supportive Nevadan to vote in this election, which could end up nearly tying at 300,000 to 300,000 votes.

When a race is split 50% to 50%, the side with the most money wins. So will you help us win by donating $10 or more to our campaign today?

If we succeed in passing the initiative, Nevada would be the only place in the world to permit the cultivation, distribution, and sale of marijuana to adults aged 21 and older.

Please visit the campaign's Web site for more information about the campaign, breaking news, the staff's blog, merchandise, ways you can get involved — from anywhere in the country — and much more.

Please get involved. Winning this campaign will be the beginning of the end of marijuana prohibition.

[Don Juan]

I wonder if there is a prevailing opinion within the 'gaming' industry regarding mj.

After all, they will ultimately decide what happens in this case.

[dankedout]

Originally Posted by Don Juan

I wonder if there is a prevailing opinion within the 'gaming' industry regarding mj.

After all, they will ultimately decide what happens in this case.

Im not quiet sure I follow what you're saying.The voters are voting on this, i dont see how casinos opionons would change the outcome of a voters opionon when voting in a few months.

I dont see why the gaming industry would really care, I don't see how it would really effect them.

[Don Juan]

^To think that voter opinion can't be altered by heavy spending is a great thought, my friend. Hold that thought like a candle.

By the way, casinos ABSOLUTELY DO have opinions on everything relating to 'leisure' activities. The entire industry is built on it.

In the last efforts in Nevada, it's been alleged to have been a serious conservative Mormon vote that threatened success.

But the e-mail from MPP is debatable, though meant to encourage.

The fact is that PRE-ELECTION POLLING -has- exceeded the 50% mark for success before. In Alaska, for one.

But the reality of the vote fell way short of that. In Alaska, Prop 5 in 2000, a grandiose initiative if ever there was one, that asked for everything -but- the kitchen sink, had some allegedly professional polls showing 56%+ success. "A lanslide (was) coming!!," some exclaimed. It made 40.88% when the tally was in.

In 2004, Prop 2 in Alaska had some polls showing 51-52% success. The reality was closer to 44.5% after the count, though some questions remain about the authenticity of that particular vote count.

One of these days our leading organizations will learn how to muster support more directly.

New voter registrations (in a concerted effort), and an effective 'get out the vote' strategy, put together by balanced and grounded people with plenty of $$$$, is what will win any of these elections. That, and honest ballot counts.

Concerts with bands known to attract friends of cannabis, with incentives for showing voter I.D. cards, or registering to vote at the gate. Planned before, but not effectively followed through on in my state.

At a Ziggy Marley concert, do you really have to ask attendees how they intend to vote on such an issue?? I don't think so. You just need to get 'em registered, and get 'em to the polls.

regards,

moose eater

[havalota]

They should have a "get out and vote concert". addmission is free if you can show you voted. Maybe even have a few concession stands to sell refreshments and gear that recognises that they (voters) participated in the democratic process.

[BabyHughie]

Originally Posted by Don Juan

^To think that voter opinion can't be altered by heavy spending is a great thought, my friend. Hold that thought like a candle.

By the way, casinos ABSOLUTELY DO have opinions on everything relating to 'leisure' activities. The entire industry is built on it.

this man speaks truth :wink:

If there was ever a state that would legalize, it would be the good ole NV

>>>If it passes this cycle it will ALSO have to be voted on and passed a second time during the next general elections in 2008 in order to become state law. That's just the way it works here.<<<

Dude, you folks -need- to ammend your initiative process. Seriously!! Two successful initiatves in a row!! WOW!

And yes, anything that the casinos think is going to detour cash from their coffers is gonna' be frowned upon by their lobby.

Standard economic wisdom says that each tourist is only gonna spend 'X' amount of money, and a dime that doesn't go (here) is gonna' go (there). Competition.

Regards,

moose eater

P.S.- I still think that it's hilarious that the Mormons are surviving in a state with legalized gambling, cheap or free alcoholic beverages in some of the casinos, and limited legalized prostitution. Must be Hell for 'em (pun intended). ;^>)

[resinryder]

I deleted the post I made earlier. I'm a med patient here in Nevada. it's hard to get approved here unless you have a doctor who is very willing to accept that marijuana works.
The casinos here provide the backing($$$) to which candidate will support their needs. As i noted in the post I deleted, the democratic party here in the last election cycle for governor would not back their own candidate and the casinos flat out refused to back him because he was calling for an increase in their gaming taxes. The casinos lobbied to not have a state lottery because it would lead to the downfall of the family. BS it was because it would take the dollars out of their "neighborhood casinos". Suck on the teets of the casinos and you got it made here.
We do have a way to get a law onto the ballot and that is by getting a "question"(gonna explain real easy) ready. Then you have to circulate the question and obtain enough signatures from registered voters(which is verifed). The number of signatures has to be a percentage of the number of people who voted in the last held election. Currently the number needed is alittle over 86,000 signatures. (Can't remember the exact percentage needed) Then after the sig's are verified the question is then placed on the next election ballot with statements for and against it. The people vote on it. If it is voted for and passed by the majority in this first run then it has to go on the next ballot 2 years later and be voted for and passed again. Then it becomes law.
It is a long drawn out process, but it is the only way the folks of Nevada have of getting anything changed. This was how our Med Marijuana laws passed. If mmj had gone through the legislative process it would have NEVER been passed. It is a good way to make a change, a little slow, but it works. Look at the other states like NY, NJ just to name a few that have tryed to get mmj on the books but the legislatures of those states won't pass it or even consider putting it before the people of the state to vote on. In their system you are at the mercy of a group of elected official who could really care less about the sick and dying and more about their own wallet.
The morman population here really turns out to vote. I'll be highly surprised if they will pass it. Never know tho. Most here don't even bother to vote, much less for a change. The tax possibilities associated with is marijuana question may be the turning point for the people here. I surely hope so.
What worries me the most is the republican running for govenor. He hates mmj and I believe he is going to be elected.
I hope the state passes this law but if you know Nevada politics even if it passes there will be problems. I had a District Attorney tell me a couple of years ago when they were trying to pass the 3 oz legal limit that regardless of what was voted for, there would not be legal marijuana in the state of Nevada. That's the mind set here. Elected officials always know what's good for you better than you do. He was drinking liquor during our conversation. Choose your posion?
I have changed the minds of the people in my neighborhood regarding their views of marijuana and the positive effects on my day to day life. But it has taken years of mutual respect. But it has to start somewhere.
HAHAHA, Sorry to have gone on the rant but I truely want this law to pass but the fact remains that the majority of the people who will take the time to vote on this question are progressively backwards and most are very happy to swill down their gin but eager to keep your pot in the dark.
You would be surprised to at the people who want this law to pass but will even take the time to register to vote in favor of it.

[420KushMaster]

well you all in nevada NEED to get off your ass and vote!!!