Brothels, blackjack, and ... bongs? Oh my.

Even federal officials admit that the measure could be effective, inasmuch as the issue is primarily on the state and local level anyway. The feds handle only the biggest marijuana busts, so if state or local agents didn't press these charges in Nevada, they'd largely go unprosecuted, says Tom Riley, spokesman for the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Nevada's police apparently provided some surprising backup for such arguments last week. The umbrella organization for nine law-enforcement unions announced its endorsement on grounds that "a simple marijuana arrest takes [police] off the street for several hours and sometimes over half of [a] shift."

That endorsement was rescinded two days later amid embarrassing headlines calling Nevada's cops pro-pot. Some union chiefs insisted either they thought they were supporting the medical use of marijuana or they didn't know they were discussing an official endorsement of a real ballot question.

The flap – which ended in the resignation of the umbrella organization's president – jarred the dormant opposition into action. The day after the endorsement, a group of about 25 law-enforcement officials, drug-treatment advocates, and social conservatives met to plan their strategy.

Particularly appalled is Deputy District Attorney Gary Booker, who is leading the as yet-unnamed counter group and heads the vehicular crimes unit in Clark County, which includes Las Vegas. The prosecutor says the proposal as it is worded could invalidate current laws governing driving under the influence of marijuana, raise auto insurance rates for everyone, and turn Nevada into a "stoner haven."

"All Nevada is going to do is look stupid and foolish," says Mr. Booker, who borrowed three ounces of cannabis from the police-evidence room to show the media that it's enough for 250 joints. "It would be like enacting a constitutional amendment that legalizes slavery. It's illegal and it will still be illegal."

Still, such attitudes run counter to Nevada's independent streak. "Nevadans generally have an attitude that, wherever possible, leave the people alone to make their own choices," says Craig Walton, a professor of ethics and policy studies at University of Nevada at Las Vegas. "This measure is probably a natural for a state with a frontier mentality that says, 'Law and order is useful, but let's not go too far.' "

Moreover, many in this state are bitter with the federal government over its decision to go ahead with a national nuclear-waste dump about 100 miles outside of Las Vegas. So this move could be cast for voters as a form of rebellion, says Mr. Frey of Nevadans for Responsible Law Enforcement.

And rather than being offended by the possibility of becoming the nation's Doobie Capital, some Sin City businesses are positively high on the prospect. "There are unlimited tourism possibilities," travel agent Terry Wilsey gushes. "Las Vegas could become the American Amsterdam."

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