Marijuana measures, other new laws ready to take effect

Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2001 | 10:53 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Those suffering from doctor-certified illnesses will soon be able to grow marijuana for use in easing their pain, and juvenile judges will be allowed to send delinquents to the morgue to get a first-hand look at how they might end up if they don't change.

These are two of the more than 125 new laws passed by the 2001 Legislature that become effective Oct. 1.

Many of the laws passed took effect immediately or on July 1. And others become effective at scattered dates during the next year.

Enacting the medical marijuana law has been a "long road," says Dan Hart, one of the leaders in the drive. The constitutional amendment had to be passed twice by the voters and then by the Legislature.

Since Monday, the state Department of Agriculture has been distributing applications for those who want to apply for a permit to grow their own plants. An individual must have a statement from a doctor recommending the use of the drug.

It's unclear how many persons will apply, but Hart says, "Even if it helps one individual, it's worth it."

The applicant will have to undergo a police fingerprint check to make sure he or she did not have a prior conviction on drug sales.

Once approved by the department, the person receives a card from the state Department of Motor Vehicles that permits the possession of 1 ounce or less of marijuana plus seven plants -- three of them mature and four immature, without fear of criminal prosecution.

Coupled with the medical relief act is a law to reduce the penalty for possession of small amounts of marijuana from a felony to a misdemeanor.

The first offense for possession of 1 ounce or less carries a maximum fine of $600 or the individual can be ordered to be examined to determine if he is a drug addict and should be assigned to a rehabilitation program.

Subsequent convictions carry a greater penalty, and the fourth offense is a felony that allows the judge to put the defendant in jail for one year and impose a $5,000 fine.

In a new penalty for juveniles, judges can now order them to view bodies at the morgue. Assemblyman Dennis Nolan, R-Las Vegas, said this is not a "Scared Straight" program but one to get "kids to understand what death is all about -- teach them that death is a final event and their behavior is putting them on track to kill themselves or somebody else."

In other areas, parents who want to adopt a special-needs child will find additional help. The state Division of Child and Family Services will be required to inform these parents of the subsidies or help available after adoption. And court costs have been reduced.

The law transfers some of the child welfare cases from the state to Clark and Washoe counties, a process that will take several years. Counties got the authority from the state to set up shelters for runaway youths and the new law sets forth the services that must be provided.

It will cost more money to do business in the county recorder's office. Recorders can increase fees for a variety of services to buy new equipment. For instance, a certified copy of a certificate of marriage will go to $10 from $7.

Sheriffs and constables may charge $17 for serving a summons or complaint, up from $15. They will be able to charge $26 for serving notice of eviction, up from $15. Justices of the Peace will be able to charge $50 to perform a marriage, up from $35. Entering the name of a firm or corporation in the register of the county clerk will cost $20, instead of $15.

And there were the offbeat laws that will become effective next Monday.

The Silver State Fanfare, composed by Gerald Willis of Reno, becomes the official state march of Nevada. Orovada dirt becomes the official Nevada soil. The name of mobile home parks will be changed in the law to manufactured home parks -- this simple change required a 20-page bill.