NEVADA ASKING FOR TROUBLE WITH POT VOTE

SUMMARY: Nevada voters would do well to vote down a Nov. 5 ballot measure
that would legalize marijuana possession by adults.

First came legalized gambling and prostitution.

Next, Nevada may become the nation's first state to allow adults to possess
and use marijuana if voters approve an initiative on the Nov. 5 ballot.

Under the measure, people over 21 would be allowed to possess up to 3
ounces of marijuana - enough for about 100 cigarettes, or "joints." They
could smoke it in their homes, but not in cars or public places. The drug
would be sold in state-licensed smoke shops and taxed like cigarettes.

Backers of the initiative contend legalizing marijuana will allow the
police to spend more time going after murderers, rapists and other violent
criminals.

However, Nevada law enforcers aren't backing the measure, and opponents
fear it will open a Pandora's box of increased use, addiction and ruined lives.

They're right to be worried, especially in light of warnings issued this
week by the nation's drug czar.

According to John Walters, director of the Office of National Drug Control
Policy, more teens are addicted to marijuana than to alcohol or all other
illegal drugs combined.

What's more, U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona warns against the common
misconception that smoking marijuana is less dangerous than smoking
cigarettes. In fact, marijuana contains three to five times more tar and
carbon monoxide than a comparable amount of tobacco, and it also affects
the brain in ways similar to cocaine and heroin.

Adding a sense of urgency to the warnings are recent surveys showing that
one out of five eighth-graders has tried marijuana - twice as many as a
decade ago.

Walters cautions parents not to trivialize the dangers of marijuana to
their kids, and Carmona urges parents to realize that what they tell their
children about drug use makes a difference.

We think the same applies to Nevada.

Legalizing marijuana would trivialize its dangers and send the message that
it's OK to smoke pot to young people - and not just those who reside in
that state.

It's a message we don't want our kids to receive.

And the voters of Nevada would be wise to keep this particular Pandora's
box tightly locked.