Las Vegas Sun

March 18, 2024

Sandoval says he has never smoked pot, opposes recreational use

Brian Sandoval

Cathleen Allison / AP

Gov. Brian Sandoval sits in his office at the Capitol on Friday, April 17, 2015, in Carson City.

CARSON CITY — Gov. Brian Sandoval said he has never smoked marijuana and is against making recreational use legal in Nevada, citing concerns about its impact on young people.

Sandoval said that as a former federal judge, he saw how marijuana use led young people to trouble with the law, and he is opposed to a ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana.

Asked if he had ever used marijuana, he answered, “No.”

State Sen. Tick Segerblom, D-Las Vegas, said he doubted legal recreational marijuana would result in the problems envisioned by the governor, but he appreciated his concerns.

Segerblom said the initiative, if approved, would restrict recreational marijuana to those 21 and older and would reduce black market sales. It would take effect Jan. 1.

“Experience tells us it is not a problem” for young people, said Segerblom, one of the main proponents of the initiative, which will be voted on in November. He said a poll taken about a month ago shows recreational marijuana winning approval.

Nevada has already legalized medical marijuana.

People with prescriptions from a doctor can buy it at state-approved dispensaries. More than 18,000 people in Nevada, including more than 12,000 in Clark County, have medical marijuana cards.

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