cannabisnews.com: EDITORIAL: Common Sense on Dope





EDITORIAL: Common Sense on Dope
Posted by FoM on June 26, 2000 at 17:59:22 PT
Court panel's marijuana proposal makes sense
Source: Las Vegas Review
   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.Monday, June 26, 2000Copyright © Las Vegas Review-JournalRelated Articles: Panel To Call For Easing of Marijuana Penalties http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread6135.shtmlPanel Calls for Softer Laws on Pot Possessionhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread6126.shtml 
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Comment #1 posted by MikeEEEEE on June 26, 2000 at 18:16:49 PT
Common Sense
I love common sense.Cheers,Mike
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