Pubdate: Sat, 26 Apr 2008
Source: Tuscola County Advertiser (Caro, MI)
Copyright: 2008 Michigan Media, a division of the Edwards Group
Contact:  http://www.tuscolatoday.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4678
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n408/a07.html
Author: Howard J. Wooldridge
Note: Title by MAP

PUBLIC SAFETY REDUCED BY THE PROHIBITION OF MARIJUANA

Dear Editor,

As a retired Michigan police officer, I saw firsthand how public
safety was dramatically reduced by the prohibition of marijuana. While
I focused my night shift on the deadly DUI driver, colleagues like Ben
Sizemore would spend their 12 hours searching for a baggie of pot. As
detectives spent time busting dealers and looking for a marijuana
garden, child molesters were able to meet our 13-year-olds online
without a problem.

I would give marijuana the same rules and regulations as alcohol and
tobacco, our two deadliest drugs. Ben Sizemore was just silly talking
about allowing a bus driver to smoke and drive or a pilot smoke and
fly an airplane. He was also factually wrong that hard drug users
started with marijuana. Almost every crack head I arrested started
their illegal drug use by smoking cigarettes at 12 or 13. Later, they
tried alcohol and then they tried pot. If I could wave a magic wand
and rid the world of only one drug, it would be alcohol. I bet my
pension Mr. Sizemore would agree.

Officer Howard J. Wooldridge (retired)

Bath Township P.D.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake