Pubdate: Thu, 20 Feb 2014
Source: Baltimore Sun (MD)
Copyright: 2014 The Baltimore Sun Company
Contact:  http://www.baltimoresun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/37
Author: Brandon Levey
Page: 18

END THE WAR ON MARIJUANA

I was pleased to read The Sun's editorial board calling for an end to
marijuana criminalization in Maryland ("Md. shifts on marijuana," Feb.
18). Marijuana prohibition, and drug prohibition in general, have made
millions of Americans and thousands of Marylanders into criminals, yet
overall drug use is not down, overdoses have been rising and we
continue to spend billions arresting and incarcerating nonviolent
offenders who are disproportionately minorities, leading to the
economic decimation of entire communities.

Decriminalization of marijuana may be an excellent first step, but
broader and more extensive action is needed. It's time for more state
politicians to follow the lead of Dels. Heather Mizeur and Curt
Anderson in calling for a legalized and tightly regulated system and a
swift end to the nonsensical and counter-productive "war on drugs."

Brandon Levey, Glen Burnie
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MAP posted-by: Matt