Pubdate: Sat, 12 Oct 2002
Source: East Valley Tribune (AZ)
Copyright: 2002 East Valley Tribune
Contact:  http://www.aztrib.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1795
Author:    Kirk Muse

HARD-LINERS SOFTEN WHEN LAWS HIT HOME

Re: "Napolitano Admits Pot Use in College" (Oct. 10)

Kudos to the Tribune for the hard hitting question of Governor candidate 
Janet Napolitano, "If police had caught her smoking pot in college, would 
she want to have been arrested, jailed, strip-searched and charged with a 
felony--as required by Arizona's current legal system?"

Those that support our current system of drug prohibition quickly change 
their tune when the system personally involves themselves or their loved 
ones.  A good example is Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, the personification of a 
drug warrior--until it involved his own daughter.

Our current system of marijuana prohibition resulted in greater than 
734,000 arrests last year for marijuana violations.  More arrests than for 
murder, rape, assault, burglary and armed robbery--combined!

It seems to me that our jails and court system should be reserved for 
people that harm other people--not themselves.

Kirk Muse

Mesa
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MAP posted-by: Alex