Pubdate: Wed, 05 Mar 2003 Source: Daily Journal, The (NJ) Copyright: 2003 Daily Journal Contact: http://www.thedailyjournal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2250 Author: Howard Wooldridge Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n322/a04.html RETIRED OFFICER: LEGALIZE AND REGULATE POT As a retired police officer, I heartily agree with Andrew Lisa's column "The latest drug war is just smoke and mirrors" (DJ-3/1). The DEA going after bongs and pipes is a horrible waste of good police resources. As a cop, I never went to one call generated by the use of marijuana. Out of 2,000 accidents I handled, none involved someone high on pot. Marijuana is not a societal problem and its prohibition diverts the "Thin Blue Line" away from more serious matters like drunken drivers and rapists. We need to legalize and regulate it ASAP. Officer Howard J. Wooldridge (ret) Austin, Texas - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart