Press Release: September 22, 2006

Las Vegas Review-Journal Publishes GSVR Poll on Question 7:
49% Support, 43% Oppose, 8% Undecided

Campaign Challenges Methodology of Recent Reno-Gazette Journal Survey

CONTACT: Patrick Killen, Director of Communications, 702-425-2242, ext. 808, or
Eliet Henderson, Assistant Director of Communications, 702-425-2242, ext. 805

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA -- Today, the Las Vegas Review-Journal published the results of a poll by California-based Goodwin Simon Victoria Research (GSVR), commissioned by the Committee to Regulate and Control Marijuana (CRCM), which shows Question 7 with a six-point lead. Question 7 is the ballot initiative to tax and regulate marijuana in Nevada.

“This poll shows that Nevadans recognize the failure of our marijuana laws, and they’re ready to adopt the more sensible policy of taxing and regulating marijuana,� said Neal Levine, CRCM Campaign Manager. “Question 7 seeks to remove marijuana from the criminal market -- where it finances the activities of violent gangs and drug dealers -- and places it into a tightly regulated and controlled market, where we can tax it and place sensible safeguards on its sale to persons age 21 and older.�

The poll revealed that 49% of likely voters support Question 7, while 43% oppose it. Eight percent of the electorate remains undecided.

The poll question in GSVR’s survey was based on the actual language appearing on the November ballot. The GSVR survey differs from the results of a poll released over the weekend by the Reno Gazette-Journal, which incorrectly characterized Question 7 as simply allowing “those 21 years old and older to legally possess, use and transfer one ounce or less of marijuana.�

“If the Reno Gazette-Journal had used the actual ballot language in their poll, we’re confident that they would have received a more accurate snapshot of Question 7’s level of support,� said Levine. “Why make up language about Question 7, like the Reno Gazette-Journal did, when you can just ask the question as it appears on the ballot?�

“Further, the Reno Gazette-Journal never contacted CRCM for official comment on their poll, and the newspaper chose to quote a Reno college student over an official representative of our campaign,� Levine said. “They have not responded to repeated e-mails and phone calls by CRCM to editors and reporters in the days since they published their poll. To not accurately poll based on the ballot question -- and to ignore the campaign’s attempts to follow-up on the survey -- is outrageous and unethical journalistic behavior on the part of the Reno Gazette-Journal.�

“What the GSVR survey shows is that we’re running neck-and neck,� said Levine. “If you support Question 7 and you’re not registered to vote, you need to register by October 7. If all of our supporters register and get out to vote, Question 7 will pass on November 7.�

Link: Two-page polling document from GSVR. (PDF)

###