Ex-Police Chief Says It's Time To Get Sane.

[greenbuddha]

 

Web: Letter Of The Week: Bill Could Legalize, Regulate Marijuana Use

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URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v11/n149/a03.html

Newshawk: A Letter Writing Hero www.mapinc.org/alert/0463.html

Votes: 1

Webpage: http://drugsense.org/blog/category/lotw

Pubdate: Fri, 4 Mar 2011

Source: DrugSense Blog

Website: http://drugsense.org/blog/ <P class=clipping>LETTER OF THE WEEK

 

BILL COULD LEGALIZE, REGULATE MARIJUANA USE

 

A Solid and Sensible Case for Legalization

 

Thank you for making such a solid and sensible case for the legalization and regulation of marijuana ["Legalize marijuana," Opinion, Feb. 20].

 

As Seattle's police chief for six years, and as a law-enforcement officer for nearly three decades before that, I saw more than enough on the front lines of the drug war to convince me that it's time to end marijuana prohibition.

 

In addition to powerful economic and civil-rights arguments, marijuana legalization will allow law enforcement to focus on preventing and solving crimes against persons and property. Legalization will eliminate a huge, untaxed revenue source for gangs and cartels whose members never hesitate to use violence against each other, the police and innocent citizens in order to protect their illicit profits.

 

Our state's lawmakers have an opportunity to do the right thing locally while also taking a powerful leadership role in the national movement to end marijuana prohibition. For doubters and proponents alike, The Times' editorial should be required reading.

 

Norm Stamper, Eastsound

 

Pubdate: Wed, 23 Feb 2011

 

Source: Seattle Times ( WA )

 

Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v11/n000/a010.html

MAP posted-by: Richard Lake