NEVADA MOVES TO ALLOW MEDICAL MARIJUANA

CARSON CITY, Nev., June 4 - State lawmakers voted today to legalize
marijuana for medical purposes and relax penalties for possession of
the drug.

The vote by the Assembly puts the state on a potential collision
course with the federal government. The United States Supreme Court
ruled last month that a federal law classifying marijuana as an
illegal drug had no exception for medical uses.

The Nevada Senate has already approved the bill, and it is expected
to receive Gov. Kenny Guinn's signature.

The bill would allow seriously ill Nevadans to have up to seven
marijuana plants for personal use.

In addition, a person with an ounce or less of marijuana could be
charged with a misdemeanor and fined up to $600. A second or third
offense would carry a higher fine and placement in a treatment or
rehabilitation program. The Senate amended the bill to add felony
charges for a fourth or subsequent possession charge.

Under current Nevada law, possession of any amount of marijuana can
result in felony charges leading to prison terms of one to four
years. But first offenses involving small amounts are usually handled
as misdemeanors.