Las Vegas Assemblyman Joe Hogan said his measure to legalize marijuana possession will be introduced in the Assembly on Friday, making the state of Nevada the sixth state to decriminalize the substance, according to the Las Vegas Sun.
"We've wasted a tremendous of money spoiling teenagers lives, chasing them around until we can arrest them for something," Hogan said. "And marijuana is just a harmless plant. The medical benefits are remarkable."
Hogan, while not a marijuana user himself, said he more concerned with the societal benefits of legalizing marijuana. He is working with a Las Vegas doctor, Dr. Stephen Frye, to push the issue in hopes of legalization. Medicinal use of marijuana is becoming increasingly popular in the U.S. For instance, Massachusetts voters approved its use for those purposes.
"I'm really hopeful" it will pass, Hogan said. "It would benefit a lot of people."
Colorado and Washington have already decriminalized marijuana possession last November, and lawmakers in Oregon, Hawaii and New Mexico have considered pot legalization measures, too.
While Nevada already allows for medical marijuana use, patients who have a medical marijuana card have no legal way to obtain it, according to the Las Vegas Sun.
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper also issued a cautious warning to state residents.
"That said, federal law still says marijuana is an illegal drug, so don't break out the Cheetos or the Goldfish too quickly," he said.
Senator Rick Segerblom has sponsored legislation to create a dispensary system in Nevada. He has saidhe is not cosponsoring Hogan's measure, saying "I'm sticking to medical marijuana."
Hogan said Assemblymen Andrew Martin and Paul Aizley are cosponsoring the measure. He is also hoping for some Republican support.
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