Pubdate: Tue, 06 Apr 2010 Source: Cavalier Daily (U of VA Edu) Copyright: 2010 The Cavalier Daily, Inc. Contact: http://www.cavalierdaily.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/550 Author: Howard Wooldridge Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10/n244/a07.html JUST A WEED Left out of Matt Cameron's excellent, balanced report on marijuana was the issue of public safety. As a police officer for 18 years, I saw the horrific waste of good police time spent chasing the non-violent, non-problem causing marijuana smoker (think Willie Nelson and Michael Phelps). As officers tear apart hundreds of thousands of cars looking for a baggie, the deadly DUI kills a Virginian every day. As our detectives fly around in helicopters looking for green plants, they miss rapists who stalk the sidewalks and jogging paths. No question, the prohibition of marijuana reduces public safety. Howard Wooldridge Drug Policy Specialist - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D