[TKDietz]

I don't know about the other two organizations you mentioned, but NORML has been around since 1970, long before the people you mentioned started pumping money into marijuana legalization efforts. I may be mistaken, but I don't think Soros ever funded NORML.

As for the money being only a tiny fraction of their fortunes, that's all it is. Soros is a multi-billionaire. He gives hundreds of millions a year worldwide and only a tiny fraction of that is for drug law reform. The combined total budgets of the three groups you mention is probably somewhat less than ten million a year, compared to billions the government and anti-drug groups spend. Most of these marijuana initiatives you've seen pass have passed with only a few hundred thousand dollars spent on the part of those seeking to pass the initiatives. A lot of hoopla is made about "exorbitant" amounts being spent on drug law reform measures but these amounts pale in comparison to what's being spent on the other side. The anti's have most of the money and get most of the free publicity.

[robertpaulsen]

Yeah, but it's his millions vs thousands spent by local anti-drug groups on these statewide issues.

And if Ashcroft even sneezes in an adjacent state during the campaign, the pro-druggies are crying about federal involvement in local issues.

So don't give me this crap about big-time federal money.