Nevada court rules in favor of reformers

In response to a petition by Marijuana Policy Project the Nevada Supreme Court ordered state Attorney General Dean Heller to explain why he allowed drug czar John Walters to get away with political campaigning using the taxpayer's money against them.

The Marijuana Policy Project complained to Heller's office in 2002 about Walters' conduct during that election season, saying he traveled to Nevada "with security detail in tow" to challenge a citizen's marijuana initiative and contended he should file a campaign report or be subject to a fine of up to $5,000.

Heller refused to act, caving in to Walters' lawyer who argued that the drug czar is exempt from following the election laws of the United States. Now Heller has until early June to justify his decision to the high court. We await his excuse with interest.

Meanwhile, MPP is fielding another less ambitious initiative in the state. The bill would legalize possession of up to 1 ounce of marijuana by adults but also would increase penalties for providing marijuana to minors or for causing a fatal accident while driving under the influence of the substance. Sale of marijuana would be taxed, and revenue would be earmarked for drug and alcohol treatment and education programs.

Sounds like a very sensible approach to me.