From my friend Elbert McDoolihan comes the story of people with too much time on their hands and more apparently money than sense:
Lawmakers in Nevada have put a measure on the November 5th ballot that would legalize private marijuana use. The measure would decriminalize the use of pot in private homes, but not in automobiles or public places.
"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, and the White House has come out strongly against the idea. Also, Nevada voters would have to approve the proposal again in 2004 before it became law.
While I applaud the concept (IS busting pot smokers a wise use of limited law-enforcement resources? I would argue no, but that's for another time and place....), I'm wondering if Nevada lawmakers have cable. Did anyone pay attention when the feds busted up San Francisco medical marijuana clubs? I have a hard time believing that Chairman Ashcroft will sit idly by when people are smoking weed in the privacy of their own homes. (A man's home may be his castle, but NOBODY smokes that devil weed on MY watch....)
A novel idea, guys, but wake up and smell the coffee, willya?? Pass this law, and I'll give you even money that jack-booted federal thugs will be kicking in people's front doors on Ashcroft's orders. Is that what you really want?
It's 11pm in Nevada...do you know what your state legislator has been smoking??
