Pubdate: Sun, 16 Mar 2014
Source: Honolulu Star-Advertiser (HI)
Copyright: 2014 Star Advertiser
Contact: 
http://www.staradvertiser.com/info/Star-Advertiser_Letter_to_the_Editor.html
Website: http://www.staradvertiser.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5154
Author: Chuck Cohen

OVERREACTION TO POT RUINING KIDS' FUTURES

The headline read: "4 Aiea students suspended over drugs" 
(StarAdvertiser, March 13). The drug was marijuana.

When is this going to stop? When are we going to stop stigmatizing 
our children when they're caught smoking pot? This would not have 
made "news" if it was alcohol or if it was a tobacco product. The 
police are now involved, charges are pending and this incident has 
the potential to derail the future success of these kids. This 
archaic, pompous overreaction needs to stop.

I'm not promoting the use of cannabis. I am promoting the future of 
our kids. I am promoting eliminating the criminal label associated 
with people smoking marijuana. I am promoting reducing our prison 
population of drug users. Our policy makers need to wake up. 
Attitudes toward marijuana have evolved and changed. While they light 
up a smoke, pour themselves a stiff one and pop some pharmaceutical 
drugs to relax, they should think and stop being moral judges.

Chuck Cohen

Kalama Valley
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom