DRUG LAW MISGUIDED, SUPREME COURT RULES

A law that makes it a crime to possess many of the materials used in
manufacturing methamphetamine was declared unconstitutional by the Nevada
Supreme Court.

The court said it recognized the "evil" targeted by the law, but said the
law lacks an "intent element" and thus imposes criminal sanctions on what
is otherwise noncriminal activity.

The ruling in Carson City, involving two Washoe County cases, said the
law's purpose isn't to convict people for possessing a few common household
items that could be used to make a controlled substance.