Pubdate: Tue, 10 Jun 2003
Source: Clarion-Ledger, The (MS)
Copyright: 2003 The Clarion-Ledger
Contact: http://www.clarionledger.com/about/letters.html
Website: http://www.clarionledger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/805
Author: H.M. Coker

PROTECT PEOPLE'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, LEGALIZE MARIJUANA

Bureau of Narcotics Director Frank Melton, in his zeal to fight drugs, is 
suggesting that we the people give up more and more of our constitutional 
rights to privacy and freedom. For example, he wants to have more arbitrary 
road blocks to check for illegal drugs, in addition to search and seizure 
without a search warrant.

He says he's mainly wanting to stop the harder stuff like crack cocaine and 
meth manufacturers.

Mr. Melton is not above the law, even though he seems to think he is. 
Furthermore, what he's trying to do will not only weaken an already 
battered Constitution, but will drive drug prices higher, which will cause 
even more pain and suffering to the families already affected by the users.

Another effect of his police state will be the arrest and seizure of 
property of people who smoke pot or grow it for their own use. What an 
incentive this gives to law enforcement around the country to harass, 
injure and invade the privacy of its citizens.

If marijuana were decriminalized, the big drug cartels would lose a big 
chunk of business, a lot of killing would stop, pot prices would 
drastically drop and the economy of our entire country would be greatly 
improved.

Of course, I'm not saying smoking pot, drinking liquor, or even taking 
doctor-prescribed tranquilizers is good. They are not good. It's a choice 
each person has to make for himself or herself.

We need people on Capitol Hill who will stand up, speak out, uphold and 
protect our constitutional rights regardless of how they might personally 
feel about pot or alcohol.

P.S. I don't smoke pot any more, so please don't break down my door.

H.M. Coker Tupelo
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