Pubdate: Tue, 03 Dec 2013
Source: Times, The (Trenton, NJ)
Copyright: 2013 The Times
Contact:  http://www.nj.com/times/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/458
Author: David L. Nathan

DRUG LAWS' HARM WORSE THAN THE DRUG

As a physician and the father of two, I concur with the Rev. M.
William Howard Jr.'s commentary "Why we should decriminalize
marijuana" (nj.com, Nov. 17) and strongly endorse New Jersey bill
S1977, which would remove criminal penalties for possession of small
quantities of marijuana.

While New Jersey has legalized cannabis for medical purposes, we still
find ourselves under the influence of "reefer madness" when
non-medicinal possession of this relatively benign recreational drug
can lead to a permanent criminal record and jail time. Today, even
opponents of legalizing marijuana favor decriminalization of its
simple possession, as the cost and harm resulting from harsh
punishment of this so-called crime is far worse than the cost and harm
of the drug itself.

As the Rev. Howard correctly asserts, the burden of our marijuana laws
falls disproportionately upon communities of color, where individuals
are three times more likely than comparable whites to be prosecuted
for marijuana offenses. This makes our harsh judicial approach to
marijuana not only counterproductive but also discriminatory.

I urge our representatives in the Statehouse to pass S1977 for the
sake of racial equity, fiscal responsibility and common sense.

- -- David L. Nathan, M.D., DFAPA,

Princeton

The writer is director of Continuing Medical Education of the
Princeton HealthCare System, director of professional education for
Princeton House and clinical associate professor at the Robert Wood
Johnson Medical School.
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MAP posted-by: Matt