Pubdate: Tue, 05 Jun 2001
Source: The Dominion Post (WV)
Website: http://www.dominionpost.com/
Address: 1251 Earl L Core Rd., Morgantown, WV 26505-6298
Contact:  2001 The Dominion Post
Fax: (304) 291-9425

NEV. LAWMAKERS OK BILL TO LEGALIZE MEDICAL MARIJUANA

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) -- State lawmakers voted Monday to legalize 
marijuana for medical purposes and relax penalties for possession of the drug.

The Assembly's vote puts the state on a potential collision course with the 
federal government. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled last month that a federal 
law classifying the drug as illegal includes no exception for medical uses.

The state Senate has already approved the bill, and it is expected to 
receive Gov. Kenny Guinn's signature.

The bill would allow seriously ill Nevadans to have up to seven marijuana 
plants for personal use.

It says a person with an ounce or less of marijuana could be charged with a 
misdemeanor and fined up to $600. A second offense would carry a higher 
fine and placement in a treatment or rehabilitation program; three-time 
offenders would be charged with a gross misdemeanor and pay a still-steeper 
fine.

The Senate amended the bill to add felony charges for a fourth or 
subsequent possession charge.
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