Pubdate: Fri, 12 Apr 2002
Source: Daily Gazette (NY)
Copyright: 2002 The Gazette Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.dailygazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/105
Author: Ashley Jewett
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

DOPEY JUSTICE

I'm a senior at Mohonasen High, and for my Participation in Government 
class we have been studying the war on drugs.

Mainly we have centered our studies on marijuana. We watched a video in 
class about the selling and possession of marijuana. A certain man in the 
video was sentenced to a 93-year prison term for growing marijuana in his 
basement. Ninety-three years? This man was not a murderer, not a rapist, 
but was sentenced for 93 years in prison as a first-time, nonviolent offender.

What I find even more despicable is the news story I saw on television a 
few days ago. A 30-year-old female teacher at a New Hampshire high school 
engaged in sex with a student when he was 12 years old. She became pregnant 
and delivered his baby. This woman was sentenced to only 7 1/2 years in prison.

What is wrong with our criminal justice system? It lets a sex offender off 
in a heartbeat but a first-time, nonviolent marijuana possessor has to 
suffer 93 years in prison?

ASHLEY JEWETT

Schenectady
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