Nevada Isn't Expected to Legalize Marijuana Soon Despite "Sin City" Reputation
So far the Marijuana Policy Project has tried five times to pass laws to legalize marijuana in Nevada. It's predicted they'll make another attempt in 2012 for laxer Nevada drug crime laws but that it will also fail. Mayor Oscar Goodman opines, "The people are not ready no matter how we are characterized."
Nevada drug crime laws are actually very harsh despite Nevada having legalized gambling and prostitution (in some counties). Straight possession of any drug is usually charged as a felony unless it's for less than an ounce of marijuana. However, first-time possession charges can often be reduced to a misdemeanor or dismissed if the defendant does Drug Court.
Penalties for breaking Nevada drug crime laws become harsher if you sell or intend to sell a drug. The harshest penalties are imposed in trafficking cases, but even then the defendant may avoid prison if they cooperate with police. Nevada law draws no distinction between illegal drugs like cocaine and prescription drugs such as OxyContin that are used illegally.
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