Month of 01/Jul/2006 to 31/Jul/2006

CRCM has met our fundraising goal of $5,000 for this month! A HUGE thank you goes out to all the incredible supporters who chipped in to make this happen. Your contributions make all the difference in the fight to end marijuana prohibition in Nevada.

In fact, because we reached our goal for this month, in the next few weeks CRCM will be unveiling exciting new features on our Web site. The dynamic home page will attract many more visitors, which means reaching more voters, generating more support, bringing in more volunteers, and earning more donations -- all of which puts us closer to victory on Election Day! Stay tuned to see just how far your contributions can go to help us pass the marijuana initiative.

There's only two more hours before the July donation drive comes to an end, and we have only $48 left to raise! We've received an incredible response so far ... will you be the one to top us out at $5,000 for the month? Please donate to help us reach our goal!

CRCM needs only $143 to meet our July fundraising goal of $5,000, and we've got three hours left to raise it! We can't succeed without your support, so please donate now!

We're almost there, folks! We need exactly $153 to make it to our goal of $5,000! Our supporters have really come through with an amazing push to reach our fundraising goal for the month of July. If just a few more people give a few more dollars, we'll be over the top! Can you pitch in? Every donation moves us closer to success!

CRCM has received more than $4,000 in donations towards our July fundraising drive! We need less $1,000 to make it to our goal of raising $5,000 in Web donations this month. Every contribution puts us closer to victory in November, so please give whatever you can. With your help, we will end marijuana prohibition in Nevada! Please donate today!

We've got six hours left to raise $5,000 for the month of July! Help CRCM reach our goal before the clock strikes midnight. Can you pitch in a few dollars to help end marijuana prohibition in Nevada? Please donate today!

Only eight hours remain before our July fundraising drive comes to a end. Will you help us reach our goal of raising $5,000 in Web donations for this month? Every donation we receive in July goes towards major improvements to our Web site, which will bring more visitors to our site, spread the word to more people, enlist more volunteers, and raise more donations -- moving us that much closer to ending marijuana prohibition in Nevada this November! Please donate whatever you can to help us reach our goal. We can't make it to the top of the Stratosphere without you!

The Stratosphere continues to grow! Thanks to the generous contributions of our fabulous supporters, we're closer than ever to raising $5,000 in Web donations for the month. Now we need less than $1,500 to reach our goal. Can you spare a few dollars to help end marijuana prohibition in Nevada? Please donate today!

Please help CRCM reach our July web fundraising goal of $5,000 by the end of today! There's less than 12 hours left in our fundraising drive, and we've still got $1,613 left to raise. If we can raise $5,000 by the end of today, we will be able to make a really cool improvement to the Web site that will drive a lot more Web traffic our way. More people on the site means more people making calls, donating and finding out about the initiative. You can help end marijuana prohibition in Nevada this November -- please donate today!

CRCM Campaign Manager Neal Levine made an appearance on Reno's "Nevada Newsmakers" last week, facing some hard-line prohibitionists. See the whole debate here, and watch Neal doing a terrific job of refuting their outrageous claims.

CRCM has met our phone banking goal for July -- with three days to spare! During the past month, we've made over 5,000 phone calls to voters across Nevada. This is up from our goal of 3,000 calls in June. A big "congrats" to all of our volunteers!

But we still need your help ... It's not too late to donate and help us reach our goal of raising $5,000 through our Web site by the end of July!

As of today, we've raised over 60% of our goal -- and we can make it to 100% with your help. With this money, we'll be able to make cutting-edge improvements to this site and drive a lot more Web traffic our way. More people on our site means more people volunteering and donating to the campaign, which brings us all closer to victory this November.

Please donate whatever you can today! Thank you for working with us to fix Nevada's broken marijuana laws!

A recent study from the University of California, Los Angeles, found that there is no increased risk of lung cancer for marijuana users. Even heavy, long-term users were no more likely to develop lung cancer than those who rarely or never smoked marijuana.

CRCM needs your help! We're trying to reach our goal of $5,000 in donations before the end of July -- less than one week away! Check out the Stratosphere on the right to see how much our generous supporters have already helped us raise. But we don't have much time left to make it to $5,000. Please donate today! If we meet our fundraising goal of $5,000 for July, we will be able to make cutting-edge improvements to our Web site that will drive a lot more Web traffic our way. More people on the site means more people volunteering and donating to the campaign ... which brings us that much closer to victory on Election Day.

Every donation -- no matter how large or how small -- makes a huge difference for the campaign. Please pitch in today and donate whatever you can to help us raise $5,000 through our Web site by the end of the month. With your help, we will end marijuana prohibition in Nevada this November!

A conversation recently overheard in the CRCM offices ...

Marijuana Taxation and Regulation Supporter: Man, I'm definitely going to vote to end marijuana prohibition in Nevada on November 7! But what if I don't have time to get to the polling station on Election Day? What if I don't make it there before they close? What if I finally make it on "Survivor," and I'm on a desert island for six months?

Helpful CRCM Staffer Rick: It's good that you're thinking ahead, Marijuana Taxation and Regulation Supporter. Do you know about the option to vote by absentee ballot?

MTRS: Why no, I don't. What is voting by absentee ballot?

HCSR: All you have to do is request an absentee ballot for the general election from your county elections division. They will mail you a ballot, which you can then complete and mail back.

MTRS: But don't I have to be away from home to qualify for an absentee ballot?

HCSR: Nope. Absentee ballots are available to anyone who requests one.

MTRS: And I don't have to go to a polling station on Election Day?

HCSR: That's right, you can vote from the comfort of your own home, without the hassle of getting to the polls on time or standing in line.

MTRS: Wow, that sounds pretty simple!

HCSR: Yep, it's an easy way to make sure your vote for ending marijuana prohibition is counted.

MTRS: But where can I find out how to request an absentee ballot?

HCSR: It's your lucky day, MTRS, because CRCM has just set up an absentee ballot voting page on our Web site. It tells you everything you need to know about requesting an absentee ballot from your county. Check it out here.

MTRS: Thanks, Rick! You're very helpful.

HCSR: Anytime, MTRS. And if you have any questions, just drop us an e-mail at info@regulatemarijuana.org.

MTRS: Great! Now that that's taken care of, me and my volleyball Wilson are heading to another audition. See you later!

On July 10, CRCM Campaign Manager Neal Levine debated Clark County Sheriff Bill Young on "Face to Face with Jon Ralston." During the program, Ralston cited statistics from the Nevada Department of Public Safety: In 2005, Nevada made more than 5,500 arrests for marijuana offenses, and 4,962 -- nearly 90% -- of these arrests were for simple possession.

The Sheriff's response? "I question those numbers," and, "I disagree with those numbers."

On July 13, CRCM called on Sheriff Young to either acknowledge the truth of these arrest numbers or provide evidence that they are incorrect. The Sheriff's response? Silence, so far. But we're not backing down.

Journalist Ryan Grim published a piece at Slate.com regarding a recent study that many claimed provided evidence proving the "gateway theory." According to his analysis, the study actually does not support the idea that those who use marijuana are more likely to become addicted to drugs like heroin.

Key quote:

The federal government's last National Survey on Drug Use and Health, conducted in 2004, counted about 97 million Americans who have tried marijuana, compared to 3 million who have tried heroin (166,000 had used it in the previous month). That's not much of a rush through the gateway. And a number of studies have demonstrated that your chances of becoming an addict are higher if addiction runs in your family, or if heroin is readily available in your community, or if you're a risk-taker. These factors can account for the total number of heroin addicts, which could make the gateway theory superfluous.

On close inspection, Hurd's research, published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology, doesn't show otherwise. For the most part, it's a blow to the gateway theory.

Contrary to much of the news coverage on this study, it doesn't prove anything about the "gateway theory." And numerous other studies have stated that the "gateway theory" is false, from a 1999 White House-commissioned report by the Institute of Medicine to a 2005 RAND Corporation report commissioned by the British government. Prohibitionists are simply grasping at straws in their efforts to try and explain why something safer than alcohol is illegal.

This week's edition of Reno News & Review, Reno's alternative weekly, includes a blurb about the recent study that revealed no link between marijuana use and lung cancer. We're glad they're paying attention to this issue -- it's an important study, after all. But what caught our eye?

Key quote:

I lifted that story from the June 16 issue of The Week newsmagazine, which ran it underneath a classic photo of Cheech and Chong, the Laurel and Hardy of the ’70s, driving along, sharing a joint the size of a ballpark frank.

Not to brag, but we blogged about this study way back on May 24 -- when the story first broke -- long before June 16 (though granted, not with a classic photo of Cheech and Chong).

The good folks at Reno News & Review could have lifted the story from us a long time ago, but they don't seem particularly interested in anything we're doing at CRCM. They won't even return our e-mails or phone calls. Come on, guys, give us a call back -- or at least check out our blog every once in a while ...

Las Vegas' alternative weekly, CityLife, noticed our tussle with Clark County Sheriff Bill Young on "Face to Face with Jon Ralston," in which the Sheriff denied the veracity of Nevada's marijuana arrest numbers. CityLife awarded CRCM the 777 spot (opposite the dreaded 666) for bringing to light the number of arrests in Nevada in 2005 for marijuana offenses -- more than 5,500, greater than the total arrests for violent crimes like murder, manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault combined -- and also for calling on Sheriff Young to confirm that the numbers are correct or provide contrary evidence.

Still no response from the Sheriff ...

Christopher Bellecy of Carson City responded to Guy Farmer's editorial in Sunday's Nevada Appeal with an excellent letter-to-the-editor. Christopher rightly points out that Farmer's reference to "studies" from the Mayo Clinic isn't substantiated on the clinic's Web site, and furthermore, Farmer ignores a recent reputable study demonstrating that there is no link between marijuana use and cancer. With astute citizens like Christopher on the watch, Farmer isn't getting away with glossing over the facts!

Guy Farmer, special correspondent to the Nevada Appeal, has returned to provide more of his special commentary on the marijuana initiative. Spooked by the recent endorsement of the initiative by the Lahontan Valley News and Fallon Eagle Standard, Farmer published an editorial in Sunday's Nevada Appeal that's full of hysterical exaggerations and over-the-top scare tactics. It's almost entertaining to watch him tap dance around the facts. Almost ...

Key quote #1:

When the Appeal last month republished an editorial from Fallon's Lahontan Valley News endorsing a ballot initiative that would legalize small amounts of marijuana, the potheads rejoiced on the Appeal's Web site. But they must have been disappointed a few days later when Editor Barry Ginter reiterated this paper's longtime opposition to drug legalization.

Hmm, that's funny. Appeal editor Barry Ginter did clarify that the Appeal reprinted the Lahontan endorsement rather than providing an independent Appeal endorsement. What Ginter didn't do was "reiterate this paper's longtime opposition to drug legalization." He simply stated that he doesn't believe marijuana is harmless and that he would support "whatever option results in the least amount of marijuana being used in Nevada." How on earth do Farmer's little half-truths keep finding their way into print?

Key quote #2:

Earlier this year, studies by Minnesota's respected Mayo Clinic found that regular marijuana use can cause health problems ranging from memory loss to cancer.

Interestingly, we couldn't find the "studies" Farmer refers to in his piece. Maybe he got it by Pony Express, but it's definitely not on the Web. The Mayo Clinic Web site contains no references to new information or studies involving regular marijuana use and health problems. (It does, however, have information about the possible medical benefits of marijuana ... but maybe Farmer didn't see that article.) Why is Farmer citing data that can't be substantiated?

Key quote #3:

The FDA further determined that pot smoking is harmful and that there are no sound scientific studies supporting the safety or efficacy of "medical" marijuana.

In fact, the FDA's statement on the lack of medical uses for marijuana generated a storm of criticism from scientists, policy-makers, and journalists all over the country. The FDA claimed there is not enough scientific evidence to support marijuana's medical uses, but they won't allow studies on marijuana's medical uses to take place. They also claimed that no studies have concluded that marijuana is useful as a medicine, but they ignored a 1999 Institute of Medicine study that stated exactly that. Check out this editorial for a great overview of the many flaws in the FDA's statement and their policy toward marijuana.

Key quote #4:

Iowa Drug Czar Marvin Van Haaften added that today's marijuana contains THC (the main active chemical in the drug) levels of more than 20 percent, compared to average THC levels of two percent in the 1970s.

"Iowa Drug Czar." We'll give you a minute to stop laughing ...

Prohibitionists like the "Iowa Drug Czar" tend to spout off a lot of misinformation when it comes to marijuana potency, but we've got a reality check for them. The average level of THC in today's marijuana is between 4% and 7%, and only 1% of marijuana tested by the Drug Enforcement Administration through 2002 had a potency level of more than 20%. Additionally, an increased level of potency has not been demonstrated to make marijuana more dangerous or more addictive.

Key quote #5:

Van Haaften echoed an earlier warning by House Drug Policy Subcommittee Chairman Mark Souder (R-Ind.), who urged Congress to oppose marijuana legalization initiatives in several states, including Nevada. "Marijuana is a gateway drug," he wrote in a letter to fellow lawmakers. "Far from being a 'benign' substance, marijuana is a dangerous, addictive drug that is frequently the first step into the abyss of lifelong drug addiction." He based his comments on a recent study by the University of Otago, New Zealand, Medical School, which concluded that "there is a clear tendency for those using cannabis (marijuana) to have higher rates of usage of other illicit drugs," including methamphetamine, which is destroying lives in Nevada and elsewhere around the country.

Farmer made the same argument in his last critique of the marijuana initiative, and we responded pretty clearly: "The gateway theory is simply a myth. In fact, the very report that Souder quotes contradicts him! The authors of the report -- from the Christchurch Health and Development Study in Christchurch, New Zealand -- specifically note that their conclusions can be used to argue for the relaxing of marijuana prohibition laws just as easily as for strengthening them. The study explains that the criminal market, rather than marijuana itself, may be the actual 'gateway' that encourages hard drug use. That's a key piece of information Mr. Farmer doesn't clarify for his readers."

And Farmer again mentions the story of Carson City teen Cyndle Bell, a meth addict, who began drinking at age 11 and using marijuana at age 12. Once again, our previous response: "[Y]ou'll notice this young woman started drinking before she started using marijuana. Wouldn't that make alcohol the gateway? .... Maybe Mr. Farmer believes we should ban alcohol as well? Since alcohol is a far more dangerous substance than marijuana, he would have a stronger case. Anyone remember how that one [the Prohibition era] turned out?"

Farmer continues to trot out the same scare tactics over and over again in an effort to rally the old prohibitionist guard. But marijuana prohibition has been a complete failure, and 30 years is long enough to listen to the likes of Guy Farmer.

Please help us pass the marijuana initiative. Register to vote, volunteer, donate.

Via DRCNet: On July 20, 1995 -- eleven years ago today -- the total number of marijuana arrests since 1965 passed the 10 million mark, according to an estimate by NORML.

Since 1995, more than seven million more people have been arrested, for a total of more than seventeen million people arrested for marijuana offenses since 1965.

For over thirty years, we've been arresting millions of people for marijuana, but it hasn't done a thing to prevent marijuana use or eliminate the criminal market for marijuana. Isn't it time we stopped pursuing the same failures over and over again? Before we get to twenty million?

Please help us pass the initiative to tax and regulate marijuana. Register to vote, volunteer, donate.

Jon Porter, U.S. Representative (R-Nev.), took a fact-finding trip to the U.S.-Mexico border last week to explore up-close the issue of illegal immigration and border security. And what did he stumble across while he was there?

Key quote:

As Porter toured the legal border crossing through Nogales, the delegation stumbled upon more evidence that security is needed. Officers were swarming around a beat-up black Mazda 626 that had been found to have a false floor. Under metal panels bolted under the seats, bundles of marijuana were stashed.

Porter ducked into the car to get a firsthand look under the floor mats.

Prohibition has failed to limit access to marijuana, but it has led to a thriving criminal market where anyone who wants to get marijuana can do so. And as long as marijuana remains in the criminal market, it will continue to be controlled by violent gangs and drug dealers who are smuggling marijuana into the U.S. from Mexico.

By taking marijuana out of the criminal market, we're taking money away from violent gangs and drug dealers. Taxing and regulating marijuana allows us to put it into a carefully controlled system, place safeguards on the sales, and provide tax revenue to the state (rather than profits to criminals). It's a sensible alternative to the current failed policy of prohibition. Fortunately for us Nevadans, we can vote to do just that this November by passing the initiative to tax and regulate marijuana in our state.

Please help us pass the marijuana initiative. Register to vote, volunteer, donate.

In a letter-to-the-editor that appeared in the Anchorage Daily News early this month, one Alaska citizen spoke out against Governor Frank Murkowski's legislation that illegally recriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana. Here's writer Jolene Brown's assessment of Governor Murkowski's callous disregard for the constitution:

Key quote:

Why is this act such a sterling example of the governor's arrogance? Because by railroading that law through the Legislature and ultimately signing it, he showed contempt for the Legislature, the Alaska Supreme Court and most especially his constituency.

The residents of Alaska approved the 1972 constitutional amendment recognizing our right to privacy by 86 percent of the vote. That is a mandate. The Alaska Supreme Court has repeatedly held that our constitutional right to privacy allows us to keep private from government intrusion the possession and use of small amounts of marijuana in the privacy of our homes. Murkowski's new law is blatantly unconstitutional, defies the will of the people and is (I strongly hope) destined to be nullified by the Supreme Court, which has thus far remained resolute.

The hopes of Ms. Brown and many other citizens in Alaska came true last week, at least in part. On Tuesday, July 11, a Superior Court judge ruled that part of Murkowski's law is unconstitutional -- which wasn't a surprise to anyone familiar with, oh, say, Alaska's constitutionally-guaranteed right to privacy. Under the judge's ruling, possession of up to one ounce of marijuana is legal in the home, and Governor Murkowski's latest bid to force his prohibitionist views on his constituency has failed.

We've got Monday's episode of "Face to Face with Jon Ralston," in which CRCM Campaign Manager Neal Levine goes head-to-head with Clark County Sheriff Bill Young. Neal does a great job of responding to Sheriff Young's tired old prohibitionist arguments. The best part? On the show, Sheriff Young refused to believe recent data revealing the number of people arrested in Nevada in 2005 for marijuana offenses, which outnumbered arrests for violent crimes like murder, manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. The source of the numbers that Sheriff Young is questioning? The Nevada Department of Public Safety -- the state's top law enforcement agency. Watch below to get all the juicy details.

Yet another letter-to-the-editor in the Lahontan Valley News and Fallon Eagle Standard supporting the paper's recent endorsement of the marijuana initiative.

Yesterday, a judge in Alaska struck down part of a state law that criminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana. Superior Court Judge Patricia Collins deemed the law contrary to a decision made by the Supreme Court of Alaska, which ruled in the 1975 case Ravin v. State that Alaskans' constitutional right to privacy includes the possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use. Since then, Alaskans have been permitted to possess up to four ounces of marijuana in their homes -- that is, until Governor Murkowski pushed his unconstitutional bill through the Alaska Legislature last month. Not surprisingly, it didn't last long.

Key quote:

"Unless and until the Supreme Court directs otherwise, Ravin is the law in this state and this court is duty bound to follow that law," Collins wrote in her decision.

The judge's ruling is in response to a suit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska, which argued that the state legislature did not have the power to trump the state constitution's privacy provision and its ensuing case law by passing a contradictory statute.

Perhaps this will be a lesson for Alaskan prohibitionists who are more intent on forcing their own agenda on others, instead of honoring the state's constitutionally-guaranteed right to privacy.

Key quote:

It's part of life, it's natural, it's from the earth.

Another Nevada citizen voiced his support for the Lahontan Valley News and Fallon Eagle Standard endorsement of the marijuana initiative. Al Engleman of Fallon wrote to the paper to express his concern over our failed marijuana laws -- and the need to revise them.

Key quote:

Let's all vote yes this November, and in doing so, send a loud message to those folks in Washington, that yes, even in "rural" Nevada, we know a bad law when we see one.

It seems the good folks of rural Nevada may know more about making laws for Nevada than "those folks in Washington." Fortunately, we here in the Silver State have a chance to implement a sound and sensible marijuana policy this November by voting to tax and regulate marijuana.

Please help us pass the marijuana initiative. Register to vote, volunteer, donate.

CRCM is excited to announce the launch of our online campaign message board! To check it out, click on the Forum tab at the top of the home page, or click Message Board under Get Involved on the left side of page.

The CRCM message board is open to anyone who's interested in learning more about the campaign to end marijuana prohibition in Nevada.

There's a General Discussion section where you can learn what's going on with the campaign, hear about our latest events and activities, and get to know your fellow supporters. In the Volunteer section, there's all sorts of information about volunteer opportunities and ways to get involved with the campaign (moderated by our lovely Volunteer Coordinator, Krystal). Be sure to check out the Ideas area -- it's your chance to submit suggestions on how we can be the best campaign possible. And if we use your idea, you'll be rewarded handsomely with 5,000 volunteer points. (What can you get with volunteer points? Find out here.)

We're glad to have one more way of connecting with folks all over Nevada, and we hope you'll have some fun getting to know the campaign through the message board. Come say hi today.

CRCM Campaign Manager Neal Levine debates the marijuana initiative with Clark County Sheriff Bill Young on today's episode of "Face to Face with Jon Ralston." It's a short segment but well worth the watch.

The episode airs today on Las Vegas ONE (Cox Cable channel 19) at 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 8:00 p.m., 10:30 p.m., and 3:30 a.m. (in case you're up at three in the morning with nothing else to do). It will also run tomorrow at 11:00 a.m., and we'll have the video posted here soon.

Karen Tandy, head of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), is arguing once again in support of the failed policy of alcohol Prohibition from the 1920s. (See the earlier instance here.) In response to Jessica Peck Corry's column in favor of taxing and regulating marijuana, Tandy actually attempts to convince readers that Prohibition was a success.

Key quote:

You only need to look at Prohibition to see that criminalizing an activity suppresses it, and legalization increases it. During Prohibition, alcohol consumption fell almost 60 percent and related liver cirrhosis and deaths fell dramatically.

Tandy overlooks a number of facts about what really happened during Prohibition. According to an article by Professor Mark Thornton, alcohol consumption did decrease until 1922. But then it began to increase steadily -- and it reached near pre-Prohibition levels by time Prohibition was repealed. There was actually a huge spike in deaths from tainted and unsafe alcohol during Prohibition, as bootleggers operated in a criminal market with no regulations. And Thornton writes that the decrease in deaths from liver cirrhosis was unrelated to Prohibition!

Professor Thornton outlines the realities of Prohibition.

Key quote:

Alcohol became more dangerous to consume; crime increased and became "organized"; the court and prison systems were stretched to the breaking point; and corruption of public officials was rampant. No measurable gains were made in productivity or reduced absenteeism. Prohibition removed a significant source of tax revenue and greatly increased government spending.

How sad must the situation be, when government officials point to this as a success? The prohibition of marijuana has led to similar results, without doing anything to limit use. Illegal marijuana sales profit violent gangs and drug dealers, while the criminal market thrives with no safeguards or regulations on who can purchase marijuana or how it can be used. History repeating itself, no?

Prohibition was a failure in the 1920s, and marijuana prohibition is a failure in Nevada today. It's time for a sensible alternative. Please help us pass the marijuana initiative. Register to vote, volunteer, donate.

Jessica Peck Corry of Colorado wrote a great editorial piece on being a parent in the age of marijuana prohibition. She argues on behalf of regulating and taxing marijuana because efforts by the federal government to prevent marijuana use -- and to persuade kids not to use marijuana -- have not only failed, they have made the situation worse for both kids and parents.

Key quote:

Marijuana prohibition, violated by millions every year, has become the laughing stock of American public policy. Kids have seen first-hand that it’s not as damaging as they’ve been led to believe. In the process, they begin to believe that some laws aren’t meant to be obeyed. This is by far prohibition’s most damaging side effect and only makes the job of being a mom that much tougher.

Ms. Peck Corry does an excellent job outlining the inadequacies of both prohibition and our government's ineffective ad campaigns. After all, nearly 58% of teenagers here in Nevada admit to having tried marijuana -- not exactly the definition of a successful policy. Parents like Ms. Peck Corry deserve a system that deals with marijuana sensibly and effectively, rather than with over-the-top scare tactics and widespread failure.

It's time to take marijuana out of the criminal market and put it into a tightly regulated and taxed system. The taxation and regulation of marijuana is a sensible and effective alternative to our current failed marijuana laws.

Please help us pass the marijuana initiative. Register to vote, volunteer, donate.

Paul Campos, a professor of law at the University of Colorado, wrote a fascinating article recently about the dangers of alcohol ... and how allowing alcohol consumption is still a good thing. He argues that attempting to prohibit alcohol causes more harm than any negative side effects stemming from its misuse. Sound familiar? Professor Campos doesn't overlook the implications of his argument for other, prohibited substances.

Key quote:

In particular, the socially harmful effects of marijuana are almost wholly a product of the fact that its use is prosecuted as a crime, while the drug's beneficial effects may well be comparable to those of its far more dangerous legal cousin, alcohol.

Curious, isn't it? Though marijuana is safer than alcohol, it remains prohibited. And that prohibition has led to a thriving criminal market run by violent gangs and drug dealers, a criminal market we can't regulate or control. It's time to stop pursuing the same failed policies and find a better solution.

Fortunately, here in Nevada, we've got just the thing: an initiative to tax and regulate marijuana. We can take marijuana out of the criminal market and put it into a tightly regulated market, where we can tax it and place safeguards on its sale. It's a sensible alternative to the failures of prohibition.

Please help us pass the marijuana initiative. Register to vote, volunteer, donate.

Kirk Muse wrote to the Lahontan Valley News and Fallon Eagle Standard in support of their endorsement of the marijuana initiative. Muse recommends that Nevadans look to the Czech Republic for guidance on marijuana policy reform, as they allow the possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use. As Muse notes in his letter, and as we previously blogged here, overall crime rates in the Czech Republic are very low when compared with the United States.

It's clear that our current laws encourage a free-for-all criminal market for marijuana, funding the activities of violent gangs and drug dealers. It's time to take profits away from criminals by establishing a commonsense system of taxation and regulation for marijuana in Nevada.

Please help us pass the marijuana initiative. Register to vote, volunteer, donate.

It [Prohibition] is a species of intemperance within itself, for it goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation, and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes. A Prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded.

-- Abraham Lincoln, December 18, 1840

Happy Independence Day from your friends at CRCM!

... for our June volunteer prize winners! Five fabulous folks put in extra time and effort to ending marijuana prohibition in Nevada, and they earned themselves some cool stuff.

• Madjoe racked up 30,100 volunteer points and will have his choice of tickets to see Jerry Seinfeld or Penn & Teller.

• Daveman accumulated 26,375 volunteer points and will receive the tickets not selected by Madjoe.

• Mugwump collected 20,175 volunteer points and a CRCM prize pack containing one CRCM T-shirt, a CRCM coffee mug, and a CRCM mousepad.

• Dude acquired 18,000 volunteer points and a CRCM mug.

• Ronnie V. earned 16,000 volunteer points and a CRCM T-shirt.

Three cheers to these outstanding supporters! Their hard work has been a huge boost to the campaign.

Say, do you wanna get in on the action? CRCM is kicking off a whole new contest for July! Check out the fantastic prizes available to top point-earners this month:

• First place prize: Apple iPod

• Second place prize: iPod Nano

• Third place prize: iPod Shuffle

• Fourth prize: A CRCM mug

• Fifth place prize: A CRCM T-shirt

And, while all volunteers and supporters will be invited to attend our victory party on Election Night, the top five volunteer point-earners for the entire campaign will win passes to the campaign's Election Night VIP Reception.

How can you earn volunteer points? Phone banking from home is a simple and easy way to collect points, and it's a great help to the campaign. Plus, CRCM is making it even easier for you to win these cool prizes -- we're increasing the points earned for phone bank contacts from 100 points per ID to 500 points per ID. We're also offering double points for anyone who comes in to volunteer during our Wednesday Mailer Nights!

We can't win this campaign without our volunteers, so please get involved today!

CRCM Campaign Manager Neal Levine's appearance on Jon Ralston's "Face to Face" has been rescheduled from July 5 to July 10. Guess who's returning to represent the prohibitionists? It's Clark County Sheriff Bill Young. Should be an interesting rematch ...

If you haven't yet seen the first "Face to Face" face-off between Neal and Sheriff Young, check it out.