Pubdate: Sun, 31 Oct 2010 Source: Los Angeles Times (CA) Copyright: 2010 Hector Villagra Page: A37, lead letter, boxed Contact: http://www.latimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10/n885/a02.html Author: Hector Villagra PROPOSITION 19 IS THE ANSWER Re "Marijuana profiling," Editorial, Oct. 27 California has the chance to fix a broken system of marijuana laws that disproportionally impact Latinos. I am disappointed that The Times acknowledges this discrimination but still concludes that Proposition 19 is not the answer. Latinos are two to three times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession even though studies consistently find that young Latinos use marijuana at lower rates than whites. Voting yes on Proposition 19 is a vote to challenge this status quo. Imagine how many violent crimes could be prevented if we freed up public safety resources to focus on serious, violent offenses. Proposition 19 would simply treat adult marijuana use like alcohol or tobacco use. It would move us toward a more fair and effective approach to drug laws. And Latinos have a stake in it passing. Hector Villagra Los Angeles The writer is legal director for the ACLU of Southern California. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake