Pubdate: Mon, 29 Nov 2010
Source: Chicago Sun-Times (IL)
Copyright: 2010 The Sun-Times Co.
Contact: http://www.suntimes.com/aboutus/feedback/index.html
Website: http://www.suntimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/81
Author: Richard Roeper, Sun-Times Columnist
Note: Relevant part of a longer column.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Willie+Nelson (Willie Nelson)

BORDER PATROL SAVES THE WORLD FROM WILLIE NELSON

Seems Like They've Got Better Things to Do Than Bust 77-Year-Old

Enough with this nonsense. Does anybody really care if Willie Nelson 
fires up a joint on his tour bus?

Nelson was charged with marijuana possession last Friday after a U.S. 
Border Patrol officer at an immigration checkpoint in Sierra Blanca, 
Texas, found six ounces of pot aboard the country music legend's tour bus.

Keeping the borders safe.

Nelson posted $2,500 bond at Hudspeth County Jail and was released. 
I'm sure he'll never smoke pot again, having learned his lesson, cough-cough.

Willie Nelson is 77 years old. If convicted, he could be sentenced to 
180 days. Is there anybody who believes Nelson should go to jail? 
Does he pose a threat to anyone?

This brings to mind one of the most ludicrous stings of all time -- 
Operation Pipe Dream in 2003, in which some 2,000 federal, state and 
local law enforcement officers spent countless man-hours and more 
than $12 million to bust retailers and manufacturers of drug-related 
paraphernalia. Among those nabbed was Tommy Chong, who spent nine 
months in federal prison because he owned a shop that sold glass bongs. Insane.

Portugal decriminalized possession of all drugs in 2001. According to 
a study published in the British Journal of Criminology, over the 
last decade Portugal has seen a decrease in teen drug use, more drugs 
seized by law enforcement, fewer HIV infections and a decline in the 
use of drugs by injection. Cause and effect can be debated, but 
there's little doubt that law enforcement resources can be put to 
better use if cops don't have to go sniffing around for pot on tour buses. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake