COMMON SENSE ON DOPE

Court panel's marijuana proposal makes sense.

Inexplicably, Nevada -- the home of wide-open gambling and legalized
prostitution -- has one of the most draconian marijuana laws in the country.

Possession of even small amounts of the drug is a felony here, punishable
by prison time.

But now a judicial commission of the Nevada Supreme Court will reportedly
put forth the eminently sensible argument that the penalties should be
eased for those caught with less than four ounces of marijuana.

When the panel issues its final report in September, it will also recommend
that the penalty for being under the influence of a controlled substance be
reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor.

Ultimately, it will be up to lawmakers to act on the proposals. And it's
high time they did. Prosecuting as felonies cases involving small amounts
of marijuana or nonviolent users is not a judicious application of state or
local resources.

The Legislature rejected a similar decriminalization recommendation five
years ago. Privately, most lawmakers will admit that the current laws are
overly harsh. But the fear of being labeled soft on drugs in an opponent's
campaign flier trumps principle.

It shouldn't. Nevadans in 1998 overwhelmingly approved the medicinal use of
marijuana. A lawmaker who votes to reduce penalties for possession of a
small amount of the drug would hardly invoke the wrath of voters. It
shouldn't take political courage to back this plan, only common sense.