Freedom Lawyers of America

As you have probably heard, MPP's Nevada initiative, Question 9, was
defeated last night, in an election dominated by a strong Republican/
conservative tide in Nevada and elsewhere. Still, almost 40% of Nevada
voters rejected marijuana prohibition, and there were positive
developments in marijuana-related elections elsewhere.

THE BAD NEWS

NEVADA: Question 9 was defeated 61-39, despite the heroic efforts of
our campaign team. The election was marked by a strong conservative
turnout reflected in all of the statewide votes. Some voters were
probably influenced by the blizzard of disinformation orchestrated by
White House "Drug Czar" John Walters, aimed at scaring voters. This
was a huge disappointment to all of us, but our campaign put the
effort to end marijuana prohibition on the national agenda in a way it
hasn't been in years. Not only were four in 10 Nevada voters ready to
end prohibition, but a TIME magazine poll prompted by our campaign
showed that 72% oppose jailing responsible marijuana users.

ARIZONA: Proposition 203 was defeated 57-43. This complicated measure
would have replaced criminal penalties for possession of small amounts
of marijuana with a civil fine, set up a state-run distribution system
to provide free medical marijuana to patients, and made a number of
other changes in the state's drug laws. Walters campaigned heavily
against this measure as well.


THE GOOD NEWS

MASSACHUSETTS: Nineteen local advisory measures urging marijuana
decriminalization all appear to have passed, most with overwhelming
margins. A local advisory measure supporting medical marijuana and
another endorsing hemp cultivation passed easily as well.

MARYLAND: Medical marijuana supporter Bob Ehrlich was elected governor
in a hotly-contested race. Ehrlich, a Republican member of Congress,
is one of 42 cosponsors of Rep. Barney Frank's States' Rights to
Medical Marijuana Act. His opponent, Democrat Kathleen Kennedy
Townsend, was approached during the campaign by medical marijuana
supporters but refused to take a stand. This bodes well for our effort
to get a medical marijuana bill passed in Maryland next year.

SAN FRANCISCO: In what may turn out to be the medical marijuana "shot
heard 'round the world," San Francisco voters passed Proposition S by
a nearly 2-to-1 margin. Placed on the ballot by four members of the
city Board of Supervisors after a wave of federal raids on medical
marijuana dispensaries, the measure asked voters if the city should
explore growing and distributing marijuana for seriously ill patients.
Now that voters have responded with a resounding "YES," it will be up
to the Board of Supervisors to implement that mandate. MPP plans to
work with our many friends in San Francisco to make sure the voters'
wishes are carried out.

In some ways it was a rough night, but we are immensely proud of the
hard work of our staff and volunteers -- and grateful for your
continuing support. We know we won't win every battle, but we will not
give up until marijuana prohibition is just a distant, sad memory.