Pubdate: Fri, 24 Aug 2001 Source: Denver Post (CO) Copyright: 2001 The Denver Post Corp Contact: http://www.denverpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122 Author: Richard Coolidge and Kerry Hyde Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) "POT" AT THE MANSION Not Worth A Full Probe Re: "Suspicious-plant probe of Owens is up in smoke," Aug. 20. The story about the marijuana plant at the Governor's Mansion broke, it was humorous and now it's done. What exactly is the purpose of this article? Are you trying to show that, because Bill Owens is governor, he is exempt from prosecution for growing a marijuana plant? Would others honestly be treated differently? The facts show that the Governor's Mansion is owned by the taxpayers in Colorado. The governor actually resides in a house in Aurora. The grounds are maintained by contracted lands-keepers. The mansion houses numerous security officers and witnesses even more onlookers and foot- traffic. Would it be worth launching an investigation into a single, possible marijuana plant at the taxpayers' expense? I doubt it. RICHARD COOLIDGE Denver ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Drug War' Lesson Lost Colorado law enforcement officials did Gov. Owens a grave disservice. Had the governor been allowed just a few "typical" hours on the receiving end of the drug war, he would have obtained an education beyond price. Now that teachable moment has been lost, and he can go on believing that only the guilty have anything to fear from the drug war. KERRY HYDE Denver - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager