LEGALIZING POT ON NEV. BALLOT

Residents Equally Divided Over Issue

CARSON CITY, Nev. - In Nevada, they love gambling and tolerate
prostitution. Now they are talking about legalizing pot.

A measure on the ballot Nov. 5 would make Nevada the first state to
allow adults to possess marijuana: up to 3 ounces, which is enough for
perhaps 100 joints.

People 21 and older would be allowed to smoke it in their homes but
not in cars or public places. Pot would be sold in state-licensed
smoke shops and taxed like cigarettes.

"This initiative will allow the police to spend more time going after
murderers, rapists and other violent criminals," said Billy Rogers,
leader of the group pushing the measure.

Whether it could actually take effect is unclear. Federal law bans
marijuana possession, and the White House has come out strongly
against the idea. Also, Nevada voters would have to approve the
proposal again in 2004 before it became law.

Nevada, home of the nation's gambling capital, has long had a fondness
for what others forbid. Although prostitution is banned in Las Vegas,
Reno, Carson City, and in 49 states, it is legal in 10 of Nevada's 17
counties. The 30 licensed brothels in the state are monitored by the
state Health Division. In addition, Las Vegas has a multitude of
outcall entertainment services that are thought to be fronts for call-
girl businesses.

But the vote on marijuana represents a remarkable about-face in
Nevada's attitudes toward pot.

A year ago, Nevada had one of the nation's strictest marijuana laws.
Possession of a single joint was a felony punishable by a year or more
in prison.

In 2000, Nevada voters approved the use of medical marijuana, and the
Legislature voted in 2001 to make possession of less than an ounce of
pot a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000
fine.

Opinion polls on the marijuana measure have Nevadans almost evenly
split, with opponents gaining ground.

"What message are we sending our youth if this initiative passes? That
it's OK to take drugs?" school counselor Teresa Jempsa said. "If
marijuana becomes legal, then what drug is next?"

The plan was put on the November ballot after the group led by Rogers,
Nevadans for Responsible Law Enforcement, gathered the necessary
75,000 signatures.

Some other states are debating loosening marijuana laws, but none is
considering legalization for recreational purposes.

Arizona voters will soon decide on making possession of up to 2 ounces
a non-criminal violation punishable by a maximum fine of $250. San
Francisco is exploring the idea of growing pot on public lots and
distributing it to sick people.

Ohio has the most lenient law in the nation, with possession of less
than 100 grams, or nearly 4 ounces, bringing a citation and $100 fine.

In Nevada, law enforcement officials oppose the legalization measure.
Undersheriff Richard Winget in Las Vegas said 3 ounces would produce
enough joints to supply a small-time dealer.

Washoe County District Attorney Richard Gammick said the argument that
Nevada would earn millions in tax dollars is "a ruse on the voting
public."

Asa Hutchinson, Federal Drug Enforcement Administration chief, and
federal drug czar John P. Walters visited the state to underscore the
Bush administration's opposition.

"I don't think Las Vegas and Nevada want to become the center for drug
tourism," Walters said.

Jeff Oakes, a North Las Vegas resident, said he supports
legalization.

"As of right now," he said, "the most dangerous effect of marijuana
possession and use is jail."