Pubdate: Fri, 07 Dec 2012 Source: Albany Democrat-Herald (OR) Copyright: 2012 Lee Enterprises Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/HPOp5PfB Website: http://www.democratherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/7 Author: Larry Crompton LEGALIZE POT? NO! There are only so many steps on a ladder before you fall over. After reading a wasted page in your Dec. 3 paper, I feel you have fallen. "Strategy, timing key to states' pot legalization" in my opinion was your last step in proving where the Democrat-Herald has gone. Down. This sick piece on how to get states to legalize a dangerous drug goes beyond the pale. Schools are going to benefit by getting government money from the sales of drugs? Get real. Schools are going to suffer from kids having the easy, legal opportunity to find dealers. Dope dealers out of business? How many idiots will buy from these "government" dealers at $100 a puff when they can buy it from their neighbor who grows their own and still sells it for $10. "Redirect law enforcement resources?" Driving under the influence should only go up 150 percent. I won't go into how much more dangerous pot is than cigarettes but it is. It is addictive. I worked undercover narcotics in California for over two years, deep undercover for much of that time. My life was threatened by dope smokers many times more than from heroin users. I don't care if you think pot cures your pimples, broken fingernails or whatever foolish lies you ingest - it is dangerous. I agree, our schools need help. The best help is to have continuous drug testing. These kids are this country's future. Save them, save America, make the sales of marijuana, any marijuana, a 10-year prison sentence. Proof positive that marijuana is dangerous? The money backing the Washington/Colorado legalization measure! George Soros, the ACLU, Progressive Insurance, past presidents of the state bar association, and the list goes on. Larry Crompton - --- MAP posted-by: Matt