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Show Page 3 Campus News Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012 Blitz may help Wash. legalize pot BY JONATHAN MARTIN The Seattle Times SEATTLE — A $2.8 million TV advertising blitz in October by the campaign to legalize marijuana appears to have given Initiative 502 a critical boost just as ballots are being cast. There are no marijuana leaves — or even admitted marijuana users — in the ads, reflecting I-502's strategy to attack the ban on marijuana while not endorsing its use. The TV spots are made more potent by a lack of opposition ads raising questions about the consequences and costs should Washington become one of the first states to legalize, tax and regulate marijuana like alcohol. The KCTS 9 Washington Poll, conducted by University of Washington political scientists and released Thursday, found support for 1-502 solidifying since its Oct. 18 poll. Support among likely voters rose from 47 percent to 55 percent and opposition dropped from 40 percent to 38 percent, with the number of undecided voters shrinking. Another poll, commissioned by KING 5, reported nearly identical results: 55 to 37 in favor, with 7 percent undecided. The UW's Matt Barreto said he was surprised by the swing in support, which he attributes to the "very strong and effective" ad campaign. "I thought this might tighten up more, because it's such a radical change," he said. Since the August primary, 1-502 has aired three TV ads across the state featuring former federal law-enforcement officials and a Seattle mother reading from a similar script. It emphasizes "tight regulatory control" for a legalized marijuana market and potential tax revenue. The state has estimated revenue at up to $1.9 billion over five years. The ads were funded in part by more than $2 million in donations from Peter B. Lewis, the Ohio-based chairman of Progressive Insurance and a legalization advocate. Overall, 1-502 has raised more than $6 million. The only organized opposition, a group of medical-marijuana activists, has raised $6,800. The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs and substanceabuse-treatment providers are also opposed, but have not raised money. Other groups, including business leaders and the state teachers union, have not come out against legalization, as they have in Colorado, where a similar marijuana measure is on the Nov. 6 ballot. That has allowed 1-502 to "define the conversation," said Western Washington University political-science Professor Todd Donovan, which he finds "amazing." "It's a very nonideological, problem-solving message that fits within Washington's tradition of reform," said Donovan. The KCTS 9 Washington Poll _ a 25-minute survey of 722 voters conducted over the past two weeks _ finds a huge gender gap. Nearly two-thirds of men polled said they favor 1-502, while fewer than 50 percent of women do. That explains the most recent 1-502 ad, featuring a mother on a porch next to pumpkins. "Young people have easy access since, of course, drug dealers don't check IDs," she says. Kevin Sabet, a former Obama administration drug-control official, said the ads "sugarcoat the reality" about a core issue for women: youth access to marijuana. 1-502 bans sales to minors at proposed statelicense marijuana stores, but Sabet predicts "Joe Camel will turn into Maryjane Camel" in an effort to lure young users. 1-502 won't end the black market, he said. "The reality is that we'll have a black market that exclusively targets young people because there are age limits in this law," said Sabet. States that have decriminalized marijuana States that have legalized medical marijuana Maine ■ Alaska Mich. Vt. ■ California I Colorado R.I. Conn. N.J. Del. Ilk Maine ■ Massachusetts ■ Minnesota r Mississippi ■ Nebraska Nevada North Carolina New Jersey ,e New York 4e. Ohio Hawaii Oregon Source: National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws Graphic: Chicago Tribune @ 2012 MCT VOTE: Contest lets classes analyze election OFrom page 1 "I really see Ohio as the pivotal state. Whoever has won Ohio has won the presidential election for a really long time," Dawson said. "Because Ohio has the second-most electoral votes of the swing states, it's pivotal for either candidate." Batista said she has run the numbers a few times since doing the assignment and each time she sees Obama winning, but by a slimmer and slimmer margin each time. "At this point, I don't know who will win, but I really hope Obama wins," Batista said. "The closer election day comes, the more difficult it is to tell who will win." Batista said even though she's an international student from the Dominican Republic, she thinks the presidential election is important. She said the assignment and competition helped her understanding of American politics. "I learned a lot more about American politics and issues in this assignment and other discussions outside of class," she said. "Even though it's an American election, the results will have an impact on my country." In Dawson's class, students receive extra credit based on their predictions. If the students in her class have a more accurate prediction than the other PoliceBlotter Friday, Oct. 26 • USU Police responded to the Fine Arts Museum on an alarm on three different occasions. It is unknown why the alarm was activated. USU Electronics was contacted. The on-call electronics employee arrived and reset the alarm system. Saturday, Oct. 27 • USU Police received a complaint from a female who said her husband wouldn't let her see her children. The complainant claimed the husband was drunk. Police determined the husband and kids were perfectly fine and there were no problems. • USU Police responded to Snow Hall on a report of an individual who was suicidal. The individual made arrangements to get assistance through the counseling center. • USU Police and Logan City Police assisted a female individual who was at the Fieldhouse during the Howl. She tripped and fell while dancing and got trampled classes, each person will receive a point of extra credit, as well as if the students make a more accurate prediction than Dawson. Dawson said as the election results roll in Tuesday night, the political science department will watch in the Business Building. The department will begin an open election party at 6 p.m., showing CNN's election coverage. Two of the professors in the prediction competition, Lyons and Cann, will speak about elections at 7 p.m. • USU Police were called to the Taggart Student Center on individuals having sex in the third floor women's restroom. • USU Police caught three student athletes attempting to sneak into the Howl without paying. Police kicked them out of the event. Sunday, Oct. 28 • A complainant told police that his son, who is a USU student, said his roommate had made a comment about his sister. The complainant thought the comment was inappropriate and asked if the police would speak with his son's roommate. Police spoke to the roommate who stated the comment was made in jest. The complainant was contacted and advised of the outcome. Center will give two scholarships The Mountain West Center for Regional Studies has announced that two $2000 scholarships towards tuition and fees for 2013 Spring Semester are available to USU junior or senior undergraduate students or graduate students in specific majors. The Garth and Marie Jones Scholarship is for students with a record of high academic achievement and community service majoring in Communications; English; History; Languages, Philosophy and Communication Studies; Liberal Arts and Sciences; Political Science; Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology; Religious Studies; or Economics. The application deadline is November 19, 2012. For more information visit www.mountainwest.usu.edu/jones.aspx. Please email mwc@usu.edu with questions. The Music Department at Utah State University presents "Never in Your Wildest Dreams: Opera's Fairytales and Fantasies" Nov. 16-17 at 7:30 p.m. Two performance locations are offered. The performance is free and open to the public. The Friday, Nov. 16, performance is presented in room 214 of the Chase Fine Arts Center on USU's Logan campus. The Saturday, Nov. 17, performance is presented at St. John's Episcopal Church, 85 E. 100 North, Logan. For more information, visit the Caine College of the Arts Box Office in room 139-B of the Chase Fine Arts Center, call 435-797-8022 or see the college website. Marching band presents concert The USU Aggie Marching Band presents its end-of-season concert, "Sounds of the Stadium," Saturday, Nov. 17, at 7:30 p.m. in the Kent Concert Hall of the Chase Fine Arts Center on USU's Logan campus. The concert will include musical highlights of the marching band's 2012 season as well as traditional school songs and fan favorites. The band continues its annual tradition of striving for the best musical experience for its students as well as the finest in entertainment for the Aggie faithful, said Thomas Rohrer, director of bands at USU. Season highlights include halftime performances for all Aggie home football games, numerous pep rallies and the USU Homecoming Parade. "Sounds of the Stadium" will be a sit-down affair and the band will use the occasion to honor its members who have made the season possible. The concert is free and open to the general public. - april.ashland@aggiemail.usu.edu Contact USU Police at 797-1939 for non-emergencies. Anonymous reporting line: 797-5000 EMERGENCY NUMBER: 911 by other dancers. The individual was checked out by medical staff and refused to be transported to Logan Regional Hospital. Campus & Community Music dept. hosts opera fairy tales Marijuana laws in the U.S. Alaska Briefs Monday, Oct. 29 • USU Police took a delayed report from a student stating they were walking on 700 North when a white male driving a tan-colored van stopped and asked if they wanted to be part of a photo shoot. The van then left the area. Tuesday, Oct. 30 • USU Police assisted the Cache County Sherriff's office in looking for a fugitive in the First Dam area. The fugitive was not located. • USU Police had an individual report his computer was locked up by an FBI warning that popped up on his screen. The student was advised the warning was fake and that if the FBI were really going after him, they would come see him face-toface. Poetry students to read original work Shanan Ballam's advanced poetry writing students will read from their work at our next event, Thursday, November 8, 7 PM, at the Logan City Library, 255 North Main. Seating is limited, so please plan to arrive early for this event. Creative writers of any genre are invited to share 7 minutes or less of their original writing in the open mike session immediately following the reading. Time limits are strictly enforced, as we want to give every reader the opportunity to share. Potential readers are advised to arrive 20 minutes early to sign up. Helicon West is free, uncensored, and open to the public. Caffe Ibis coffee provided. ClarifyCorrect The policy of The Utah Statesman is to correct any error made as soon as possible. If you find something you would like clarified or find in error, please contact the editor at 797 1742, statesman@aggiemail. usu.edu or come in to TSC 105. - ►Compiled by Allee Wilkinson ►Compiled from staff and media reports |