Pubdate: Wed, 20 Dec 2006
Source: Houston Chronicle (TX)
Contact:  2006 Houston Chronicle Publishing Company Division, Hearst Newspaper
Website: http://www.chron.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/198
Author: Steve Nolin

COUNTY, STATE JAILS FULL UP

Smoking Non-Crime

The Chronicle's Dec. 11 article "Not all agree new jails needed / 
Lawmaker says county should let some offenders out on bail to free up 
existing cells" hit the nail on the head by its highlighting of the 
problems in our overcrowded jails.

Low-level offenders do not need to be taking up space needed for 
violent criminals.

It's good to see that Texas Sen. John Whitmire may be getting smart 
on crime in looking into "shorter sentences for some crimes." Simple 
marijuana possession should not be an offense that causes an arrest.

If a crime is committed, then lock the criminal up, but don't put 
someone through the criminal justice grinder when they use marijuana 
responsibly.

Steve Nolin

President, National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws

Houston
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MAP posted-by: Elaine