NEVADA CONSIDERS LEGALIZING POT

CARSON CITY, Nev.--In Nevada, they love gambling and tolerate prostitution.
Now they are talking about legalizing pot.

A measure on the ballot Nov. 5 would make Nevada the first state to allow
adults to possess marijuana--up to 3 ounces, enough for maybe 100 joints.

People over 21 would be allowed to smoke it in their homes but not in cars
or public places. Pot would be sold in state-licensed smoke shops and taxed
like cigarettes.

''This initiative will allow the police to spend more time going after
murderers, rapists and other violent criminals,'' said Billy Rogers, leader
of the group that is pushing the measure.

Whether it could actually take effect is unclear. Federal law bans
marijuana possession. Also, Nevada voters would have to approve the
proposal again in 2004 before it became law.

Nevada, home of the nation's gambling capital, has long had a fondness for
what others forbid. Although prostitution is banned in Las Vegas, Reno and
Carson City--and in 49 states--it is legal in 10 of Nevada's 17 counties.

Opinion polls on the marijuana measure show Nevadans almost evenly split.

''What message are we sending our youth if this initiative passes? That
it's OK to take drugs?'' said school counselor Teresa Jempsa. ''If
marijuana becomes legal, then what drug is next?''

But Jeff Oakes, a North Las Vegas resident, said he supports legalization.
"The most dangerous effect of marijuana possession and use is jail,'' he
said. AP