COLO, NEV TO VOTE ON EASING POT LAWS

DENVER -- Colorado and Nevada could become leaders in the movement to
legalize marijuana, when voters decide Nov. 7 whether to remove all
penalties for adults 21 or older possessing up to an ounce of the drug.

Alaska is the only state that allows penalty-free possession of
marijuana, the result of a court decision in August striking down part
of a state law that made it a misdemeanor for adults to have less than
1 ounce of marijuana.

In addition to the two statewide ballot measures, at least five cities
are letting voters decide whether to direct police to make enforcement
of marijuana laws a low priority. Those towns: Missoula, Mont.; Eureka
Springs, Ark.; and three California communities -- Santa Cruz, Santa
Monica and Santa Barbara.

In Colorado, where possession of an ounce or less is classified as a
petty offense subject to a $100 fine, backers of Amendment 44 promote
it as a healthier alternative to alcohol use.

"Every objective study has found that marijuana is far less harmful to
the people who use it and society than alcohol," says Mason Tvert,
campaign director for an organization called Safer Alternative For
Enjoyable Recreation (SAFER) that is leading the Colorado ballot drive.

Marijuana possession is illegal under federal laws, which call for up
to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. SAFER says on its website that
99% of marijuana prosecutions come under state and local laws.

Last year, 54% of Denver voters approved a similar measure for the
city, but it has had little impact because most cases are prosecuted
under state law. "The city initiative didn't change anything," says
Vince DiCroce, head of the city attorney's prosecution staff.

A Rocky Mountain News poll in late September showed 53% of Colorado
voters oppose this year's referendum, while 42% favor the marijuana
measure.

Colorado Attorney General John Suthers criticizes backers of the
measure for "an irresponsible and inaccurate message that legalizing
marijuana will make Colorado a safer place."

In Nevada, where voters defeated a legalization measure in 2002 by
61%, this year's measure is broader than the one in Colorado. It would
allow adults to possess up to an ounce, but also boost criminal
penalties for drivers who cause death or serious injury while driving
under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

The measure would set up state regulation of marijuana stores, with
licensing fees and an excise tax of $45 per ounce. Proceeds would be
split between the state general fund and substance abuse programs.

A coalition of law enforcement and community groups oppose the
measure. Thirty-three clergy members endorsed the initiative. Paul
Hansen, senior pastor of the Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Las Vegas,
says legalization and regulation would prevent some of "the problems
that prohibition causes, including exorbitant prices and wild profits"
by criminal elements.

Colorado and Nevada are among 11 states that treat possession of small
amounts of marijuana as misdemeanors or petty offenses.