Pubdate: Fri, 30 Apr 2010 Source: Columbia Valley Pioneer, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2010 The Columbia Valley Pioneer Contact: http://www.columbiavalleypioneer.com/contact.html#letter Website: http://www.columbiavalleypioneer.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4207 Author: Ralph Givens Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10/n316/a10.html SMOKING POT IS VICTIMLESS CRIME Dear Editor: In regard to the letter, "Sentences in pot cases should be more severe," the Bible does not authorize jailing people for marijuana crimes. Punishing victimless drug crimes exceeds the standard for retributive punishment established in the Bible. Exodus 21:23-25, "life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise". Also, see Leviticus, 24:20, and Deuteronomy, 19:21. Since marijuana "criminals" have murdered no one, blinded no one and haven't knocked out anyone's teeth and no maiming has occurred, there is no valid basis for punishment for using, possessing or growing cannabis? Punishing "victimless crimes" violates the standard of justice God commands in the Bible. Ralph Givens Daly City, California - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake