Pubdate: Mon, 23 Feb 2004
Source: Tennessean, The (TN)
Copyright: 2004 The Tennessean
Contact:  http://www.tennessean.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/447
Author: Nick Bruno, Jr.

A LIFE MAY BE RUINED DUE TO A DUMB DRUG LAW

To the Editor:

Regarding the 17-year-old Antioch High School boy who was arrested
with a gun and some marijuana, way to go, society. Good bust. (''Teen
arrested at school wtih drugs, gun,'' Feb. 19)

Once again a young life will be ruined over pot because no one will
stand up and do what needs to be done - legalize. Why not? Because
politicians are scared of senior citizens, and senior citizens are
scared of drugs.

It's time the repressive drug laws originally put in place by citizens
who are dead or dying get taken off the books.

Reality check - there is no drug grown or manufactured anywhere on
earth that can't be obtained within a mile or two of my home here in
Nashville. So criminalization simply doesn't serve the purpose it's
intended to serve, aside from the fact that's it's morally incorrect.

Second reality check - if marijuana wasn't illegal, that kid wouldn't
have had that gun. And a lot of people who are now dead would still be
alive.

So again, good job, we'll show that kid. And maybe it won't ruin his
life. But it probably will, as usual.

Nick Bruno, Jr.

Nashville
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