POT LAW ON NEVADA BALLOT

CARSON CITY, Nev. -- Voters in Nevada, which until last year had the
nation's strictest marijuana law, will decide in November whether to let
adults legally possess small amounts of pot.

Under the proposal, marijuana would be sold in state-licensed shops. A
distribution system also would be set up to provide low-cost pot for
medical uses.

To become law, the change needs voter approval this year and in 2004.
Whether the law could ever actually take effect is unclear. Federal law
bans marijuana possession, and the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year that
states cannot make exceptions for medical use.

The new proposal would let adults have up to three ounces of marijuana.
Driving under the influence and using marijuana in public places still
would be illegal.

Law enforcement groups in Nevada are expected to oppose the ballot measure.