RESIDENTS SPLIT ON MARIJUANA QUESTION

Relieving severe pain, driving under the influence and entering a gateway
to other drugs were issues raised by some local residents last week
regarding a ballot initiative to change the state's marijuana law.

The referendum would allow Nevada residents to carry three ounces of
marijuana without penalty.

Reno resident Fred Horne, 31, said his friend suffers from a severe back
injury and smokes marijuana to alleviate the pain. He said he'd like to see
the initiative pass because it could allow more open- mindedness in the
medicine world.

"The old line of thinking should be open to a new line of thinking," Horne
said.

He said the current laws unnecessarily punish people.

"If you get stoned and drive and hurt someone, you're screwed," Horne said.
"This will protect those that smoke responsibly. Moderation is the key."

Some disapproved of the initiative, fearing it would lead to abuse of the drug.

"I don't want to know that someone high might be driving on the same street
my kids are playing on," said Reno resident Tiffany Allen, 29.

Allen said smoking marijuana could be a gateway to other, more lethal, drugs.

She did say, however, that the current Nevada laws were "ridiculous."

"No one should face time in prison for marijuana possession that will be
longer than someone who has committed a violent crime."

Jesus Gandara, 40, said he believes that if passed, the new law would lead
to more drug dealing.

"They're going to go out of the drug house with three ounces of marijuana,
sell it, and go back to pick up more," said the Reno resident.