COMMON SENSE ON DRUGS

Nevada lawmakers have traditionally lacked the guts to implement more
rational approaches to minor drug crimes -- witness how Assemblywoman Chris
Giunchigliani's biennial effort to soften the state's
toughest-in-the-nation marijuana law ends up in the circular file each session.

Privately, many legislators agree that Ms. Giunchigliani's effort is a
worthy one. But publicly they tremble at the notion of seeing an opponent's
campaign flier paint them as soft on crime or drug use.

On Monday, though, a panel of the state Supreme Court offered the
Legislature a bit of cover. The court's Judicial Assessment Commission
recommended that possessing a small amount of marijuana be treated as a
misdemeanor rather than a felony and that certain minor drug users be
diverted to treatment programs instead of sent to prison.

These reforms make eminent sense. And if lawmakers still erroneously
believe the public won't tolerate such change, how do they account for the
fact that Nevada voters have twice overwhelmingly approved a ballot
question supporting the medicinal use of marijuana? And why, despite
vociferous opposition from law enforcement groups, did California voters
just last month give the go-ahead to an initiative that sends minor drug
users to treatment rather than jail?

Lawmakers should do the right thing and heed the state Supreme Court
panel's suggestions. They'll be surprised at the reaction.