Pubdate: Sat, 23 Mar 2013
Source: Baltimore Sun (MD)
Copyright: 2013 The Baltimore Sun Company
Contact:  http://www.baltimoresun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/37
Author: Ron Coccodrilli
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n127/a08.html
Page: 17

DON'T GO SOFT ON MARIJUANA

As someone who has worked in the Maryland criminal justice field for 
over 25 years and has witnessed how "simple" possession and use of 
marijuana often leads to the abuse of other drugs, I find it 
disheartening to read that our elected officials are trying to make 
Maryland part of the minority of states that allow this ("Advocates 
for legal marijuana take first steps," March 20). The proponents' 
reasoning is ridiculous, as we all know that most users are getting 
away with it and that our state courts are not being "strained" by 
prosecution of these crimes.

What kind of message does this send to our youth and our communities? 
Two states that have recently enacted this legislation are already 
seeing the negative effects. We will witness more use and abuse at 
public events and gatherings, knowing that the consequences will be 
no more severe than a parking ticket.

Hopefully, most House of Delegates members will vote on the side of 
common sense and defeat this legislation.

Ron Coccodrilli, Hagerstown
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom