Pubdate: Fri, 29 Nov 2013
Source: Baltimore Sun (MD)
Copyright: 2013 The Baltimore Sun Company
Contact:  http://www.baltimoresun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/37
Author: Nancy Starr
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n555/a06.html

DON'T LEGALIZE POT

Your editorial urging Maryland to see how marijuana legalization 
works out in other states before legalizing it here is reasonable - 
except that any future change in the law should be toward stricter, 
not more lenient, enforcement ("One step at a time on marijuana," Nov. 20).

There is already a lot of turmoil in the states that have legalized 
marijuana, and the publicity the issue has received, whether for 
so-called medical use or outright legalization, further misleads the 
country's youth to think marijuana is harmless.

National statistics show that very few people are in jail for only 
possession of a small amount of marijuana. Jail sentences either 
involve large amounts for selling, or more frequently, the commission 
of another crime or possession of another illicit drug in addition to 
marijuana.

Has The Sun done any research on arrests reported in its newspaper as 
to the number of people having been jailed for only possessing small 
amounts of marijuana?

One of the ways that marijuana is harmful is its use among people who 
drive under its influence. All drivers involved in accidents or who 
break traffic laws should be tested for marijuana and charged 
accordingly. This harmful drug should remain illegal.

Nancy Starr, Erie, Pa.
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