Medical Marijuana in Nevada

Nevada is one of 14 states with laws allowing the legal use of marijuana for specified medical purposes. Because state laws are in conflict with federal marijuana laws, users have been subject to arrest and prosecution by the federal government... until now. A policy change by the U.S. Department of Justice has directed federal prosecutors to back off on chasing down people and their suppliers who are using marijuana legally under their respective state laws. The policy was explained in a press release from Attorney General Eric Holder, "It will not be a priority to use federal resources to prosecute patients with serious illnesses or their caregivers who are complying with state laws on medical marijuana, but we will not tolerate drug traffickers who hide behind claims of compliance with state law to mask activities that are clearly illegal. This balanced policy formalizes a sensible approach that the Department has been following since January - effectively focus our resources on serious drug traffickers while taking into account state and local laws."

Nevada U.S. Attorney Dan Bogen said, "We've targeted our resources on the major cultivators and the major organizations involved in the distribution of marijuana, not the user or those in compliance with state law."

The Nevada Medical Marijuana Program, adopted in 2001 by 65% of the voters, is administered by the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services. There are over 2,000 people registered with the program and around 100 added each month. The Medical Marijuana Program website has specific information about applying for a card. To learn more, read the online FAQ or call the program office in Carson City at (775) 687-7594.

In Reno, Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, called the policy "a common sense response and validates a state's right to establish medical marijuana statutes." In contrast, State Senator Bill Raggio, R-Reno, said, "I don't think it's a wise idea. It's an entry drug, and the potential for heavy use is still there." Personally, I think a policy that recognizes states rights and frees law enforcement to concentrate on the truly dangerous drug gangs and producers of poison like methamphetamine is a good thing. What do you think?

Sources: Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Justice, Reno Gazette-Journal.

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