Pubdate: Sat, 01 Feb 2014
Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)
Copyright: 2014 Hearst Communications Inc.
Contact: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/submissions/#1
Website: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/388
Author: Michael J. Haworth

FOLLY OF ARCHAIC DRUG LAWS

Congratulations are in order for San Francisco District Attorney 
George Gascon ("Softer drug law has unlikely bedfellows," C.W. 
Nevius, Jan. 30) for promoting the idea of lighter sentences for all 
drug possession and for realizing that the decades-long war on drugs 
has little effect other than criminalizing otherwise law-abiding 
citizens and increasing our already bloated prison population.

His years in law enforcement have undoubtedly allowed him to see the 
folly of these archaic drug laws and, firsthand, the lives ruined by 
felony convictions that follow a person forever. My hope is that the 
necessary signatures are gathered and that it qualifies for the state 
ballot in November.

Current polling indicates a favorability rating of 60 percent. Should 
this become law, California will take the lead in rational drug 
enforcement and join Colorado and Washington as progressive models 
for the nation.

Michael J. Haworth, Vallejo
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom