NEVADA VOTERS WEIGH LEGALIZING MARIJUANA

Nevada thrives on gambling, winks at brothels and gave the world the
drive-through wedding. It could soon add another wrinkle to its
anything-goes reputation by letting adults smoke marijuana just because
they feel like it.

State officials announced recently that a petition drive had succeeded in
putting a measure legalizing limited amounts of the drug on the fall
ballot. Nevada is one of eight Western states that recently decriminalized
marijuana for medicinal purposes.

If voters approve the proposal, adults in the state would be allowed to
possess up to three ounces of marijuana without risk of criminal charges or
fines. Marijuana also would be sold and taxed in stores licensed by the
state. Smoking the drug would remain illegal in public places or while driving.

The Marijuana Policy Project, a national nonprofit organization backing the
campaign, said no other state has such a law.

"Putting people in jail for it makes no sense," he said.

But law enforcement groups are preparing to fight the measure, and even if
it passes, Nevada could have a hard time adopting it because federal law
bans marijuana possession.